At MakoRabco, we believe that staying ahead means more than enhancing steel buildings. It means designing and building smarter. That’s why we’re aligning ourselves with the global PropTech movement, bringing innovation in design, materials, and integrated smart-storage solutions into everything we do. The next generation of storage facilities won’t be defined by the materials they’re made of, but by the intelligence built into them from day one. As PropTech reshapes the commercial real estate environment, the most valuable projects will be those designed not just to stand strong, but to operate smarter, supporting automation, digital access, data-driven efficiency, and future upgrades without costly retrofits.
What Is the PropTech Movement?
PropTech, short for Property Technology, refers to the modernization of real estate, construction, and building operations through digital tools, automation, and data. It is not simply about adding technology to a building; it represents a full shift in how projects are designed, engineered, financed, constructed, managed, and experienced.
According to JPMorgan, PropTech is transforming commercial real estate by streamlining development, improving asset performance, and enabling smarter operations. Rather than treating technology as a late-stage upgrade, PropTech integrates it into the foundation of the development process.
In practical terms, PropTech includes:
- Digital design, modeling, and construction tools such as BIM, AI-assisted planning, and digital twins (real-time replica of a physical building or asset)
- Smart-building systems including IoT sensors, automated access control, remote monitoring, and connected security
- Data-driven facility management such as energy optimization, predictive maintenance, and occupancy analytics
- Modular and prefabricated construction methods that reduce waste, shorten build times, and improve consistency
- Technology-enabled tenant experiences, from mobile leasing to fully unmanned facilities
PropTech brings together two historically separate worlds: the physical structure and the digital infrastructure that operates it. The goal is to build faster, operate more efficiently, extend the useful life of the asset, and improve the experience for owners, operators, and end users.
Why Does PropTech Matter for Self-Storage and MakoRabco?
For self-storage, PropTech shifts the model from “build it and rent it” to “build it, connect it, and optimize it.” Instead of viewing a facility as static rentable space, the industry is now treating the building as a technology-ready asset designed for:
- Operational Efficiency & Cost-Control.
With construction timelines under pressure, asset owners demand quicker deployment and smarter materials. PropTech enables that through modular system designs, prefabrication, and digital workflows, helping to streamline the design process and getting to construction faster.
- Technology-Ready Infrastructure.
Smart storage operators are deploying systems for access control, remote monitoring, energy optimization and tenant experience. The building itself must be ready to support these systems. That means design for wiring, IoT sensor placement, flexible layouts and future-proofed infrastructure. We build that foundation.
- Sustainability and Resilience.
The industry’s attention to resilience and sustainability is higher than ever. PropTech supports this via data-driven building operations, reduced waste during construction and design for adaptability. Our focus on durable steel, precision engineering, and long-life performance ties right into this thread.
- Competitive Differentiation for Developers & Owners.
Owners want to work with partners who understand more than just “build.” Developers want partners who think beyond the construction phase and into long-term performance. Connecting MakoRabco to the PropTech movement reinforces that we don’t just build structures, we build facilities prepared for smarter, tech-enabled operations.
How MakoRabco Fits This Narrative
- Design Innovation: Our modular building system designs allow for accelerated schedules, fewer site disruptions, and standardized quality.
- Enhanced Visualization: Developers can see their new facilities come to life before their eyes with 3D renders viewed through VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality). This lets developers see their facility layout and design elements on a real scale before construction has even started.
- Smart Integration-Ready: We build with the expectation that the facility will soon incorporate advanced access systems, sensors, analytics and remote operation. We don’t claim to set up the tech, but we build the asset ready for it.
- Sustainable Durability: Steel construction, precision fabrication, and modular repeatability all contribute to lower lifecycle cost, reduced waste and enhanced performance.
- Partnership Mindset: We’re not reinventing ourselves as a tech company. We remain the builder, but one fluent in the language of innovation, technology-readiness and future-operations.
PropTech needs buildings that are engineered for technology, not retrofitted around it.
That’s where MakoRabco leads.
Key Takeaways
- The PropTech movement isn’t about flashy apps alone, it’s about embedding technological forward thinking into the full lifecycle of real-estate assets: design, build, operate.
- For self-storage, that means building facilities that are not just rentable units, but smart, flexible, efficient assets.
- MakoRabco brings 30 + years of self-storage construction expertise, now layered with a technology-forward mindset that aligns with PropTech’s mission.
- Partnering with us means you’re working with a company that understands both the foundational realities of construction and the emerging demands of connected, high-performance storage assets.
If you’re considering your next storage facility and want a partner who understands both robust construction and technology-enabled operations, let’s talk. At MakoRabco, we’re ready to build the foundation for your smart storage future.
Contact our team to schedule a consultation.
FAQ
What is PropTech?
PropTech, short for Property Technology, refers to the use of digital tools, automation, and data to enhance the design, construction, and management of real estate assets. It includes everything from modular construction and smart locks to AI-driven analytics and IoT-enabled monitoring systems. In short, it’s how technology is reshaping the entire building lifecycle—from concept to operation.
How does PropTech apply to the self-storage industry?
In self-storage, PropTech connects physical infrastructure with smart technology. Facilities are increasingly being designed with features such as mobile access control, automated leasing, energy management, and real-time monitoring. These technologies reduce operating costs, improve security, and create a more convenient customer experience.
Is PropTech just about software or digital tools?
Not at all. While many think of PropTech as apps or software, it actually extends into how buildings are designed and built. In construction, PropTech involves the use of digital modeling (like Building Information Modeling and digital twins), modular fabrication, precision engineering, and smart-ready infrastructure that supports technology integration long after construction is complete.
What is a digital twin, and how is it used in construction?
A digital twin is a virtual, data-connected replica of a physical building or system. In construction, it allows developers and operators to visualize how a facility will function before it’s built, monitor performance after completion, and simulate maintenance or upgrades digitally. For self-storage, digital twins can show energy use, access patterns, or maintenance needs, helping owners make data-driven decisions that save time and cost.
What benefits does PropTech bring to developers and investors?
PropTech helps developers build faster, operate smarter, and future-proof their assets. It leads to shorter construction timelines, fewer change orders, and lower long-term maintenance costs. For investors, PropTech-enabled facilities often command higher valuations because they’re designed for automation, sustainability, and adaptability, three qualities that reduce risk and increase long-term return on investment.
Why is PropTech important now?
The construction and real estate industries are undergoing digital transformation at the same time consumers expect seamless, technology-enabled experiences. In self-storage, PropTech adoption is accelerating because the model fits: remote management, online leasing, and security automation all thrive in tech-ready environments. Facilities built today must anticipate these needs, not retrofit them later.
How can MakoRabco help developers interested in PropTech?
MakoRabco partners with developers, general contractors, and investors to design and build facilities that meet today’s operational needs while preparing for tomorrow’s innovations. From modular steel systems to multi-story layouts ready for smart access, our projects are built for resilience, precision, and long-term performance in a technology-driven market.