Our Story

About Artisan Properties

Three decades of building, operating, and growing self storage facilities across the Southeast.

26
Facilities Developed
14
CMBS Executions
Top 100
Operator — MSM 2020
SSA
Large Operators Council
Who We Are

Built on Experience. Focused on Results.

Artisan Properties, Inc. was founded in 1995 by Fred Rickman and Tracy Spencer in Columbus, Georgia. What started as a regional development company has grown into a full-service self storage management, development, and acquisitions firm with a track record spanning three decades.

We manage our own portfolio of 23 facilities — Storage Xxtra across Georgia and The Mini Storage Center across North Carolina and South Carolina — which means every process we bring to third-party management is proven on our own assets first.

By the Numbers
  • Founded 1995 in Columbus, Georgia
  • 23 facilities currently under management
  • 1.9M+ square feet under management
  • 26 facilities developed from the ground up
  • 14 CMBS loan executions
  • Operations in GA, NC, and SC
  • Top 100 Operator — Mini-Storage Messenger, 2020
  • 1-Year Rate Guarantee across both brands
  • Member, SSA Large Operators Council — since 2019
Our History

Three Decades in Storage

1995
Artisan Properties Founded

Fred Rickman and Tracy Spencer establish Artisan Properties, Inc. in Columbus, Georgia, with a focus on self storage development in the Southeast.

1996
Storage Xxtra Brand Launched

The Storage Xxtra brand is introduced in Georgia, anchoring a growing portfolio of company-owned and managed facilities.

2000s
Expansion & Development

Artisan accelerates development activity across Georgia, executing multiple ground-up projects and establishing deep relationships with regional and national lenders.

2003
First CMBS Execution

Artisan completes its first CMBS loan — the beginning of a capital markets track record that would grow to 14 executions over the following two decades.

2020
Top 100 Operator Recognition

Artisan Properties is recognized as a Top 100 Self Storage Operator by Mini-Storage Messenger, affirming its standing as one of the most experienced independent operators in the country.

2026
The Mini Storage Center

Artisan assumes third-party management of The Mini Storage Center portfolio, a 10-facility brand across North and South Carolina with roots dating to 1976, bringing total managed square footage to nearly 2 million square feet.

Interested in working with us?

We'd be glad to talk through your facility and what a management relationship could look like.

Get in Touch