Local men transform historic Plymouth Twp. building into super-cool business
Bryan Young and Mario DeGrazia (inset) have transformed the 78-year-old Durr Building into a one-of-a-kind storage facility.
A breath of refreshing new life has been pumped into Plymouth Township’s 78-year-old, 40,000-square-foot Durr Building thanks to an ambitious project orchestrated by two local entrepreneurs.
Vacant for a decade, the sprawling landmark located at 40700 Plymouth Road has been meticulously transformed by longtime friends Bryan Young and Mario DeGrazia into a one-of-a-kind self-storage facility with over 300 units that vary in size.
“The Township would only allow the building to be used as office space or self storage, and obviously the demand for office space has decreased since COVID,” said Young
“People who have been inside have been blown away by what we’ve done to the interior. We’ve had people who used to work here drop in and they can’t believe the transformation.”
Two years of blood, sweat and tears
Young, a resident of Plymouth, and Canton resident DeGrazia — both Realtors based in Northville — worked tirelessly for two years to make their dream a reality — and to restore a large piece of township history.
“The more we worked on this, the more we realized the responsibility we were undertaking,” said DeGrazia. “We’re now responsible for maintaining this amazing piece of history, which we take very seriously.”
The property is clean and loaded with high-tech additions that promise to make current and future unit renters satisfied.
“Once someone signs on with us, they’re given an app that will allow them to open their unit with their phone,” Young said. “Or if they’re having trouble getting into their unit, they can call me and I can open their unit from my own home in downtown Plymouth.
“On the few occasions this has happened (since their soft opening in August) customers will say, ‘I hate to bother you’. But I tell them don’t worry about it; this is what I signed up for.”
No AI receptionists here
Customer service at Durr Storage is miles beyond what most storage facilities offer.
“The vast majority of storage companies are owned corporately, so when you call their number you get an AI receptionist,” Young explained. “When you call us during business hours, we pick up the phone. When we answer, most people are shocked and say, ‘Wait, I’m actually talking to a real person?’.”
The building’s front-entrance lobby has been retained — with the addition of a television and space where clients can hold business meetings.
Young and DeGrazia also installed a large cover over the pavement near the east-side entrance so customers and their belongings are hindered by the elements.
Here’s a perk that will make you smile
And check this out: The two owners will come to your house and haul your stuff to the storage facility as long as you packed it up. Good luck finding that kind of service at 99% of existing storage facilities.
Customers rent the units on a month-by-month basis. Durr Storage is currently holding a special deal that allows renters to get 50% off the price of their units for the first three months.
Both co-owners gave big-time props to LaSant Building in Salem Township for much of the restoration inside the Durr Building.
“The second floor was mostly cubicles and conference rooms, so there was a lot of work involved in getting this place where it is today,” DeGrazia said.
The owners re-did the parking lots and added eye-catching landscaping.
Safely store your RVs here, too
They also have a massive parking lot to the east of the building on which people can safely store their RVs and other large vehicles for a monthly fee.
“We’re trying to make the most out of all this space,” Young said, smiling.
A visit to the building’s roof last month was fascinating as one stairwell was uncommonly narrow per 1940s standards.
“That’s part of the charm of this place,” said DeGrazia.
The sky is the limit
An elevator that has been working pristinely since 1948 helps customers move their belongings to the second floor units.
For more information, either call Young and/or DeGrazia at (734) 228-5115 or visit their website by clicking here.
The duo also encourage people to visit the building and check out the remarkable restoration.
If you take them up on their invite, don’t be surprised if you’re blown away.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
