When the late Mike Parham first approached Buda and Cabela’s about the idea of a self storage facility on the parcel of land off I-35 owned by the sports and hunting outfitter, he received a no. In fact, it would take more than three years of tenacity to get the development of the project approved, but it finally happened. Not only is Noah’s Self Storage in Buda, Texas a shining success, it’s also Mini Storage Messenger 2015 Overall Facility of the Year.
Rough Beginnings
MSM Messenger writer and editor Erica Shatzer details how Parham, considered “one of the industry’s best developers,” flew to Nebraska and battled snow to convince the Cabela’s CEO to approve the project. Cabela’s, which owns the land, was looking for a retail tenant in order to accrue 1% in sales tax revenue. Parham proposed a workaround, giving tenants Cabela’s gift cards, which translates into more revenue for the retailer.
More Challenges
Once the project was green-lighted, it was still met with extensive architectural and landscaping demands. While its location in bustling Buda, south of Austin, Texas, was ideal, NDS Construction had to replace the poor soil, and heavy rain immediately delayed construction. In addition, the project had to abide by stringent landscaping requirements, as well as make structural additions to accommodate local requirements.
Final Product
Managed by Jim and Gerry Lewis, the 489-unit facility was designed to blend with the German-inspired architecture of Buda. Utilizing earth tones and limestone for the office’s exterior, the interior is hunting lodge themed in a nod to Cabela’s. In front of the facility, bronze sculptures of grazing deer are now a local landmark. Inside, a deer head and fish mounts belonging to Mike Parham pay homage to the self storage leader who didn’t take no for an answer.