If you've ever walked through a residential area in downtown Seoul, you've probably seen at least once some vacant, semi-basement spaces of purchased public rental housing that can no longer be used for residential purposes. These are idle spaces that have become vacant following the relocation support provided for resident safety after the large-scale flooding incident in 2022. While they are unsuitable for people to live in, they were valuable urban spaces that should not be left abandoned.

Mini Storage DaLock is now partnering with Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) to kick off a public-private partnership business in earnest, transforming 28 of these abandoned semi-basement idle spaces into smart shared storage facilities for citizens.

We are sharing the details of this project as it can provide practical help to those who have felt cramped due to a constant lack of storage space while living in small housing, studio apartments, or officetels, or those who want to make wider use of their living spaces.

1. Project Overview and Name

• Project Name: SH:ARE
  (A public-private cooperative business model where SH Corporation provides the space, and DaLock is solely responsible for the smart system and user management)

• Brand Meaning: A portmanteau of 'SH Corporation' and 'SHARE', which contains the intention to provide a better residential environment for citizens under the meaning 'SH adds room everywhere (SH: Add Room Everywhere)'.

• Project Purpose: To safely remodel and convert abandoned semi-basement spaces of purchased public rental housing, which have been deemed unsuitable for residence, into urban-type unmanned storage services, thereby simultaneously achieving the efficient recycling of urban spaces and the improvement of the citizen residential environment. 

2. Opening Schedule and Target Areas

In this project, starting with the opening of the first branch in Seocho-gu in July, a total of 10 branches (comprising 28 individual units) will open sequentially until September.

• 1st Phase Opening (July): Seocho-gu area 

• Sequential Opening (~September): Areas high in small housing density, such as Gwanak-gu and Seongbuk-gu

The demand for personal storage space among residents is extremely high in areas densely populated with small housing, such as studio apartment complexes and villa villages. However, there were regional limitations that made it difficult for urban storage facilities to enter due to burdens such as rent. Through this collaboration with SH Corporation, we have been able to establish practical storage hubs right next to densely populated residential areas.

3. Key Features and Unmanned Storage System

When you think of a semi-basement space, humidity, mold, and security issues are probably the first things that come to mind. These 'SH:ARE' branches feature the exact same professional operational infrastructure and ICT technology that DaLock has proven while operating over 220 branches nationwide.

• 100% Unmanned Operation Controlled Entirely by a Smartphone
  Reservations, payments, and access control are all handled at once through a smartphone app. With an app-based smart door lock and secure access system in place, you can safely visit and store or retrieve your belongings at any time you want, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Professional Temperature/Humidity Environment and Hygiene/Security Management
  To completely block moisture and odors, which are chronic problems of semi-basement structures, DaLock's automatic temperature and humidity control sensor management system has been installed. Along with this, real-time CCTV monitoring, regular pest control, and facility inspections ensure that seasonal clothing, books, and hobby gear can be stored with peace of mind without worrying about deterioration.

• Reasonable Usage Rates Through Public-Private Collaboration
  Thanks to the public-private win-win structure that utilizes the idle assets of SH Corporation, a public institution, services are provided at affordable prices that significantly lower the entry barrier compared to existing self-storage in downtown commercial areas. 

4. Key Recommended Items for Storage

Simply by moving large items or seasonal baggage that used to cramp your indoor living space to a nearby shared storage, you can make your indoor residential space much wider and more comfortable.

• Seasonal Items: Thick winter puffers, winter clothing, electric fans, heaters, air circulators, etc. 

• Leisure and Hobby Equipment: Camping gear, golf bags, fishing equipment, bicycle parts, large figurines, etc. 

• Living and Personal Belongings: Temporary storage of moving baggage, storage boxes not for immediate use, books, documents, home appliances, etc. 

5. Social Value of Public-Private Collaboration

This collaboration with SH Corporation goes beyond simply increasing the number of new branches; it holds great significance in terms of 'rediscovering wasted space within the city'.

Instead of leaving spaces abandoned where it was difficult for people to live due to safety issues, they have been reborn as convenience facilities that improve the quality of life for residents. This is an urban innovation model in which the public, private, and citizens all coexist, where public institutions increase the utilization of abandoned idle assets, private companies provide professional technology and operational know-how, and citizens can secure storage space affordably near their homes.

Particularly, following the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's establishment of the new 'Shared Storage Facility' usage category and the National Pension Service's New Economy designation, the success of this collaboration with a public institution demonstrates that self-storage services are establishing themselves as essential infrastructure that resolves urban space problems beyond simple warehouse rentals.