PUBLIC STORAGE INC /CA
SC 14D1, 1996-04-15
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                             -------------------- 

                                 SCHEDULE 14D-1

             Tender Offer Statement Pursuant To Section 14(d)(1) of
                      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                              -------------------- 

                   BALCOR/COLONIAL STORAGE INCOME FUND - 86,
                        AN ILLINOIS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                           (Name of Subject Company)
                                        
                              -------------------- 

                              PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.
                                    (Bidder)

                              --------------------

                        Interests in Limited Partnership
                         (Title of Class of Securities)
                                        
                              --------------------

                                      NONE
                     (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

                              --------------------
                                        
                             DAVID B.H. MARTIN, JR.
                             Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.
                                Columbia Square
                          555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.
                           Washington, DC  20004-1109
                                 (202) 637-5600
          (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
            Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of Bidder)

                              -------------------- 

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

================================================================================
         Transaction Valuation *                 Amount of Filing Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>
               $18,480,000                              $3,696
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*  This Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1 is being filed in connection
with an Offer made by Public Storage, Inc. to acquire up to 77,000 of the
outstanding Limited Partnership interests in Balcor/Colonial Storage Income 
Fund - 86, an Illinois Limited Partnership. The total value of the transaction
was estimated solely for purposes of calculating the filing fee.

   [_]    Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by 
          Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting 
          fee was previously paid.  Identify the previous filing by registration
          statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

               Amount Previously Paid:  Not Applicable
               Form or Registration No.:
               Filing Party:
               Date Filed:

                          Exhibit Index is on page 6.
                              Page 1 of 47 Pages
<PAGE>
 
     1)   Name of Reporting Person:  Public Storage, Inc.

          S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person:  95-355121


     2)   Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

          [_]   (a)   __________________________________________________________

          [_]   (b)   __________________________________________________________

     3)   SEC Use Only  ________________________________________________________

 
     4)   Sources of Funds (See Instructions):  WC


     5)   [_]   Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required 
                Pursuant to Items 2(e) or 2(f).

     6)   Citizenship or Place of Organization:  California


     7)   Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:  
          20,166.678 Limited Partnership interests.


     8)   [_]   Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row 7 Excludes Certain Shares
          (See Instructions).


     9)   Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 7:  7.8%


     10)  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions):  CO

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
Item 1.   Security and Subject Company.
          ---------------------------- 

          (a)     The name of the subject company is Balcor/Colonial
          Storage Income Fund - 86, an Illinois Limited Partnership (the
          "Partnership"), and the address of its principal executive office is
          Balcor Plaza, 4849 Golf Road, Skokie, Illinois 60077.

          (b)     The class of securities to which this Statement relates
          is the Limited Partnership interests (the "Interests") of the
          Partnership.  There are 256,904 outstanding Interests.  The
          information set forth under "Summary" and "The Offer" in the Offer to
          Purchase dated April 15, 1996 (the "Offer") annexed hereto as Exhibit
          (a)(1) is incorporated herein by reference.

          (c)     The information set forth under "Market Prices of
          Interests" in the Offer is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.   Identity and Background.
          ----------------------- 

          (a)-(d); (g)  This Statement is filed by Public Storage,
          Inc. (the "Company"), a California corporation located at 600 North
          Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California 91203-1241.  The information set
          forth under "Background and Purpose of the Offer" in the Offer is
          incorporated herein by reference.  The information concerning the
          name, business address, present principal occupation or employment and
          the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other
          organization in which such employment or occupation is conducted,
          material occupations, positions, offices or employments during the
          last 5 years and citizenship of each of the executive officers and
          directors of the Company are set forth on Schedule 2 to the Offer and
          incorporated herein by reference.

          (e)-(f)  During the last 5 years, neither the Company nor,
          to the Company's best knowledge, any of the persons identified in
          response to 2(a) has been convicted in a criminal proceeding
          (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or was a party
          to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of
          competent jurisdiction and as a result of which any such person was or
          is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future
          violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state
          securities laws or finding any violation of such laws.

Item 3.   Past Contracts, Transactions or Negotiations with the Subject Company.
          --------------------------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)-(b) The information set forth in "Background and Purpose
          of the Offer -- Background of the Offer" in the Offer is incorporated
          herein by reference.

Item 4.   Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
          ------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)-(b) The information set forth in "The Offer -- Source of
          Funds" and "The Offer -- Certain Fees and Expenses" in the Offer is
          incorporated herein by reference.
 
          (c)     Not applicable.

Item 5.   Purpose of the Tender Offer and Plans or Proposals of the Bidder.
          ---------------------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)-(g) The information set forth in "Summary," "Special
          Considerations," "Background and Purpose of the Offer" and "Effects of
          Offer on Non-Tendering Interest Holders" in the Offer is incorporated
          herein by reference.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
Item 6.   Interest in Securities of the Subject Company.
          --------------------------------------------- 

          (a)     The Company beneficially owns 20,166.678 Interests in
          the Partnership which represents approximately 7.8% of the outstanding
          Interests.  To the knowledge of the Company, none of its executive
          officers or directors owns any Interests in the Partnership.

          (b)     The information set forth in "Background and Purpose of
          the Offer -- Background of the Offer" in the Offer is incorporated
          herein by reference.

Item 7.   Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
          to the Subject Company's Securities.
          ----------------------------------- 

          There are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or
          relationships between the Company and any person with respect to any
          Interests in the Partnership, except as described in Item 6 hereof.

Item 8.   Persons Retained, Employed or to be Compensated.
          ----------------------------------------------- 

          The information set forth in "The Offer -- Soliciting Agent"
          in the Offer is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.   Financial Statements of Certain Bidders.
          --------------------------------------- 

          The information set forth in "Background and Purpose of the
          Offer -- The Company" in the Offer is incorporated herein by
          reference.

Item 10.  Additional Information.
          ---------------------- 

          (a)-(e)  Not applicable.

          (f)  The Offer and the Letter of Transmittal, Exhibits
          (a)(1) and (a)(2) hereto, are incorporated herein by reference in
          their entirety.

Item 11.  Material to be filed as Exhibits.
          -------------------------------- 

          See Exhibit Index contained herein.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE
                                   ---------


          After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief,
the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is
true, correct and complete.


Dated:  April 15, 1996                 PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.



                                       By:  /s/ Harvey Lenkin
                                          --------------------------
                                            Harvey Lenkin
                                            President


                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
                                 Exhibit Index
                                 -------------
 
 
Exhibit No.                                                             Page No.
- -----------                                                             --------
 
   (a)      (1)   Offer to Purchase dated April 15, 1996.                   7

            (2)   Letter of Transmittal.                                   41

            (3)   Form of Letter sent to Interest Holders.                 46

   (b)      Not applicable.


   (c)      Not applicable.


   (d)      Not applicable.


   (e)      Not applicable.


   (f)      Not applicable.


                                      -6-

<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFER, PLEASE CALL THE SOLICITING AGENT,
THE WEIL COMPANY, AT (800) 478-2605 OR PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.'S INVESTOR SERVICES
DEPARTMENT AT (800) 421-2856 OR (818) 244-8080. IF YOU NEED HELP IN COMPLETING
THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, PLEASE CALL THE DEPOSITARY, THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF BOSTON, AT (617) 575-3120.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 April 15, 1996

          Re:  Tender Offer for Interests in Balcor/Colonial Storage Income Fund
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
- - 86
- ----          

Dear Interest Holders:

          Public Storage, Inc. (the "Company") is offering to purchase up to
77,000 of the limited partnership interests (the "Interests") in Balcor/Colonial
Storage Income Fund - 86 (the "Partnership") at a cash price per Interest of
$240 (the "Offer").  There will be no commissions or fees paid by you associated
with the sale.

          The Offer is not conditioned upon a minimum number of Interests being
tendered.  If more than 77,000 Interests are validly tendered, the Company will
only accept up to 77,000 Interests, with such Interests purchased on a pro rata
basis.

          NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATION OR ANY
REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY OR TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION OTHER THAN
THAT CONTAINED IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE OR IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.  NO
SUCH RECOMMENDATION, INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MAY BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED.

          The Company has enclosed an Offer to Purchase and Letter of
Transmittal which together describe the terms of the Offer.  The Company urges
you to read both the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal carefully.
If you wish to sell your Interests, please complete the enclosed Letter of
Transmittal and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope to the address
set forth on the back cover of the Offer to Purchase.  The Offer will expire on
May 14, 1996, unless extended.

          We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

                                       Very truly yours,



                                       PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.


                                       By: /s/ Harvey Lenkin
                                          ----------------------------
                                               Harvey Lenkin
                                               President
<PAGE>
 
                    Offer to Purchase for Cash up to 77,000
                        Limited Partnership Interests of
                  Balcor/Colonial Storage Income Fund - 86, at
                               $240 Per Interest
                                       by
                              Public Storage, Inc.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     THE OFFER, WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS AND THE PRORATION PERIOD WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00
     P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MAY 14, 1996, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          PUBLIC STORAGE, INC. (THE "COMPANY") IS OFFERING TO PURCHASE UP TO
77,000 LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS (THE "INTERESTS") OF THE OUTSTANDING
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS IN BALCOR/COLONIAL STORAGE INCOME FUND - 86 (THE
"PARTNERSHIP") AT A CASH PRICE PER INTEREST OF $240 (THE "OFFER").  THE OFFER
PRICE WILL BE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT PER INTEREST OF ANY PARTNERSHIP
DISTRIBUTION, OTHER THAN THE REGULAR QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION RELATING TO
PARTNERSHIP OPERATIONS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1996.  THE OFFER IS NOT
CONDITIONED UPON ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF INTERESTS BEING TENDERED.  IF MORE THAN
77,000 INTERESTS (32.5% OF THE OUTSTANDING INTERESTS, EXCLUDING INTERESTS
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY THE COMPANY) ARE VALIDLY TENDERED, THE COMPANY WILL ACCEPT
ONLY 77,000 INTERESTS, WITH SUCH INTERESTS PURCHASED ON A PRO RATA BASIS,
SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREIN.  A HOLDER OF INTERESTS ("INTEREST
HOLDER") MAY TENDER ANY AND ALL INTERESTS OWNED BY SUCH INTEREST HOLDER.

          In their evaluation of the Offer, Interest Holders should carefully
consider the following:

          .  Determination of Offer Price.  The Offer Price was established by
             ----------------------------                                     
             the Company and is not the result of arm's length negotiation.
                                               (continued on the following page)

                               __________________

                                   IMPORTANT

          Any Interest Holder desiring to tender Interests should complete and
sign the Letter of Transmittal in accordance with the instructions in the Letter
of Transmittal and mail or deliver the Letter of Transmittal and any other
required documents to The First National Bank of Boston at the address set forth
on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase, or request his or her broker,
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the
transaction for him or her.

          Any questions about the Offer may be directed to the Soliciting Agent,
The Weil Company, at (800) 478-2605.  Any requests for assistance or additional
copies of the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal may be directed to
the Company's Investor Services Department at (800) 421-2856 or (818) 244-8080.
If you need any help in completing the Letter of Transmittal, please call the
Depositary, The First National Bank of Boston, at (617) 575-3120.  The
Soliciting Agent will receive .5% of the Offer Price for each Interest tendered
and accepted by the Company.

                               __________________
<PAGE>
 
          .  Offer Price May Not Represent Liquidation Value.  Although the
             -----------------------------------------------               
             Company cannot predict the future value of the Partnership's assets
             on a per Interest basis, the Offer Price could be substantially
             less than the net proceeds that would be realized on a per Interest
             basis from a current sale of the properties or that may be realized
             upon a future liquidation of the Partnership. The term of the
             Partnership will expire on December 31, 2036, unless the
             Partnership is dissolved sooner. See "Background and Purpose of the
             Offer -- Background of the Offer" regarding a contract to purchase
             the properties of the Partnership which, if consummated, would
             cause a dissolution of the Partnership.

          .  No Reliance on Independent Valuation Of Interests.  The Offer Price
             -------------------------------------------------                  
             represents the price the Company is willing to pay for the
             Interests.  No independent person has been retained by the Company
             to evaluate or render any opinion with respect to the fairness of
             the Offer Price, and no appraisals have been obtained by the
             Company of any of the properties owned by the Partnership. See,
             however, "Determination of Offer Price" for information regarding a
             recent appraisal obtained by the Partnership, and "Background and
             Purpose of the Offer -- Background of the Offer" regarding a
             contract to purchase the properties of the Partnership which, if
             consummated, would cause a dissolution of the Partnership.

          .  Attractive Investment for Company.  The Company is making the Offer
             ---------------------------------                                  
             with a view to making a profit.  Accordingly, there may be a
             conflict between the desire of the Company to purchase Interests at
             a low price and the desire of the Interest Holders to sell their
             Interests at a high price.  See "Special Considerations."

          The Company and the Partnership are subject to the informational
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and in accordance therewith each files reports and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  Reports and other
information filed by the Company and the Partnership with the Commission may be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well
as at the Regional Offices of the Commission at 7 World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, New York, New York 10048, and Citicorp Center, Suite 1400, 500 West
Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois  60661-2511.  Copies of such material may also
be obtained by mail at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Room of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.  Such material for
the Company can also be inspected at the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), 20
Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

                                     (ii)
<PAGE>
 
          The Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents should be
sent or delivered by each Interest Holder to the Depositary at one of the
addresses set forth below:

                        The Depositary for the Offer is:

                       The First National Bank of Boston


          By Mail                  By Hand             By Overnight Courier
The First National Bank of    BancBoston Trust      The First National Bank of
          Boston             Company of New York              Boston
   Shareholder Services          55 Broadway            Corporate Agency &
       P.O. Box 1872              3rd Floor               Reorganization
    Mail Stop 45-01-19       New York, NY  10006        150 Royall Street
     Boston, MA  02105                                  Mail Stop 45-01-19
                                                        Canton, MA  02021

                                     (iii)
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>

SUMMARY...................................................................... 1
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS....................................................... 3
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE OFFER.......................................... 5
   The Partnership........................................................... 5
   The Company............................................................... 7
   Background of the Offer................................................... 8
   Purpose of the Offer...................................................... 10
DETERMINATION OF OFFER PRICE................................................. 10
THE OFFER.................................................................... 11
   Terms of the Offer........................................................ 11
   Proration of Interests; Acceptance for Payment and Payment
    for Interests............................................................ 12
   Procedures for Tendering Interests........................................ 13
   Withdrawal Rights......................................................... 14
   Extension of Tender Period; Termination and Amendment..................... 14
   Source of Funds........................................................... 16
   Conditions of the Offer................................................... 16
   Certain Fees and Expenses................................................. 17
   Soliciting Agent.......................................................... 17
   Dissenters' Rights and Investor Lists..................................... 17
   Federal Income Tax Consequences........................................... 18
   Miscellaneous............................................................. 19
EFFECTS OF OFFER ON NON-TENDERING INTEREST HOLDERS........................... 20
   Significant Equity Interest............................................... 20
   Effect on Trading Market.................................................. 20
   Partnership Status........................................................ 20
   Partnership Business...................................................... 20
   Certain Restrictions on Transfer.......................................... 21
   Effect on Exchange Act Regulation......................................... 21
MARKET PRICES OF INTERESTS................................................... 22

SCHEDULE 1
   PARTNERSHIP PROPERTIES.................................................... 1-1

SCHEDULE 2
   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PUBLIC STORAGE, INC................... 2-1
</TABLE>

          NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATION OR ANY
REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY OR TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION OTHER THAN
AS CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.  NO SUCH RECOMMENDATION,
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MAY BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED.

                                     (iv)
<PAGE>
 
To Interest Holders of Balcor/Colonial Storage Income Fund - 86:

                                    SUMMARY

          Interest Holders are urged to read carefully this Offer to Purchase,
including the matters discussed under "Special Considerations," and the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal before deciding whether to tender their
Interests.

          Certain significant matters discussed in the Offer to Purchase are
summarized below.  This summary is not intended to be a complete description and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information
appearing elsewhere in this Offer to Purchase.  The Company is not a General
Partner of or otherwise affiliated with the Partnership.  Certain information
contained herein which relates to the Partnership has been obtained from
publicly available information prepared by or on behalf of the Partnership.
Although the Company has no knowledge that would indicate that any statements
contained herein which are based on such documents are untrue, the Company
assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information
or for the failure by the Partnership to disclose facts or events which may have
occurred and which may have affected or may affect the significance or accuracy
of any such information but are unknown to the Company.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The Company and the Partnership
<S>                          <C> 
 Balcor/Colonial Storage
  Income Fund - 86.......... The Partnership was organized in 1986 and owns
                             interests in certain mini-warehouse and
                             office/warehouse properties.  The General Partners
                             of the Partnership are Balcor Storage Partners -
                             86 and Colonial Storage 86, Inc.  The
                             Partnership's properties are managed by Colonial
                             Storage Management, Inc. ("Colonial"), an
                             affiliate of one of the General Partners.  See
                             "Background and Purpose of the Offer -- The
                             Partnership."  At December 31, 1995, there were
                             8,950 holders of record owning 256,904 Interests.
                             The Company owns 9,167.678 Interests.  Assuming
                             the purchase of the Everest Interests (defined
                             below), the Company will own 20,166.678 Interests.

 Public Storage, Inc. ...... The Company is a real estate investment trust
                             ("REIT"), organized in 1980 as a California
                             corporation that has invested primarily in
                             existing mini-warehouses.  See "Background and
                             Purpose of the Offer -- The Company."
</TABLE> 

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
The Offer

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                              <C> 
 Number of Interests............................................ 77,000 (32.5% of the outstanding Interests,
                                                                 excluding Interests beneficially owned by the
                                                                 Company).

 Offer Price.................................................... $240 per Interest (the "Offer Price").

 Expiration, Withdrawal and Proration Date ..................... May 14, 1996, unless extended.  See "The Offer." 
</TABLE> 

Purpose of the Offer

     The Company believes that the acquisition of Interests through the Offer
represents a good investment for the Company and its shareholders.  The Company
is acquiring the Interests for investment purposes and has not finalized its
plans with respect to the Partnership.  The Company's plans with respect to the
Partnership and the Company's ability to influence actions on which Interest
Holders have a right to vote, will depend on Interest Holders' response to the
Offer (i.e., the number of Interests tendered).  See "Background and Purpose of
the Offer -- Purpose of the Offer."

Special Considerations

     In their evaluation of the Offer, Interest Holders should carefully
consider the information contained under "Special Considerations."

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                             SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

          In their evaluation of the Offer, Interest Holders should carefully
consider the following:


          Determination of Offer Price.  The Offer Price was established by the
          ----------------------------                                         
          Company and is not the result of arm's length negotiation.


          Offer Price May Not Represent Liquidation Value.  Although the Company
          -----------------------------------------------                       
          cannot predict the future value of the Partnership's assets on a per
          Interest basis, the Offer Price could be substantially less than the
          net proceeds that would be realized on a per Interest basis from a
          current sale of the Partnership's properties or that may be realized
          upon a future liquidation of the Partnership.  However, the liquidity
          provided by the Offer may be attractive to certain Interest Holders.
          See "Background and Purpose of the Offer -- Background of the Offer"
          regarding a contract to purchase the properties of the Partnership
          which, if consummated, would cause a dissolution of the Partnership.


          No Reliance on Independent Valuation Of Interests.  The Offer Price
          -------------------------------------------------                  
          represents the price the Company is willing to pay for the Interests.
          No independent person has been retained by the Company to evaluate or
          render any opinion with respect to the fairness of the Offer Price,
          and no appraisals have been obtained by the Company of any of the
          properties owned by the Partnership.  See, however, "Determination of
          Offer Price" for information regarding a recent appraisal obtained by
          the Partnership, and "Background and Purpose of the Offer --
          Background of the Offer" regarding a contract to purchase the
          properties of the Partnership which, if consummated, would cause a
          dissolution of the Partnership.


          Attractive Investment for Company.  The Company is making the Offer
          ---------------------------------                                  
          with a view to making a profit.  Accordingly, there may be a conflict
          between the desire of the Company to purchase Interests at a low price
          and the desire of the Interest Holders to sell their Interests at a
          high price.  If the Offer Price per Interest is below the ultimate per
          Interest liquidation value, then the Company will benefit upon the
          liquidation of the Partnership from the spread between the Offer Price
          for the tendered Interests and the amount it would receive in the
          liquidation.  Accordingly, Interest Holders might receive more money
          if they held their Interests, rather than tender, and received
          proceeds from the liquidation of the Partnership.  Interest Holders,
          however, may prefer to receive the Offer Price now rather than wait
          for uncertain future net liquidation proceeds.


          Partnership Term.  In accordance with the Partnership Agreement, the
          ----------------                                                    
          term of the Partnership will expire on December 31, 2036, unless the
          Partnership is dissolved sooner.  The Offer provides Interest Holders
          with an opportunity to liquidate their entire investment sooner than
          otherwise might be possible.  The Partnership has entered into a
          purchase contract to sell all of the Partnership properties which
          provides that the sale will be closed on May 15, 1996, subject to
          extension to not later than July 15, 1996 as necessary to obtain
          investor approval.  See "Background and Purpose of the Offer --
          Background of the Offer."  Such a sale of all of the Partnership
          properties, if consummated, would cause a dissolution of the
          Partnership.


          Tax Considerations.  A sale by an Interest Holder pursuant to the
          ------------------                                               
          Offer will enable such Interest Holder to utilize any unused suspended
          "passive" losses from the 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          Partnership so long as such Interest Holder disposes of his or her
          entire interest in the Partnership. In addition, such losses may be
          used to the extent thereof to offset gain recognized, if any, from the
          tender by an Interest Holder pursuant to the Offer. An Interest Holder
          would realize a taxable loss (likely a capital loss) in connection
          with a tender pursuant to the Offer to the extent that the Interest
          Holder's tax basis in his or her Interest exceeds the Offer Price; on
          the other hand, an Interest Holder would realize a taxable gain to the
          extent that the Offer Price exceeds the Interest Holder's tax basis in
          his or her Interest. The Offer may also be attractive to Interest
          Holders who wish in the future to avoid the expenses, delays and
          complications in filing complex income tax returns which result from
          ownership of the Interests. All Interest Holders should consult with
          their own tax advisors with specific reference to their own tax
          situations.

          Voting Power.  Interest Holders cannot participate in the management
          ------------                                                        
          or control of the Partnership's business, except insofar as Interest
          Holders are entitled to vote as permitted by the Partnership
          Agreement.  Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, the written consent
          of Balcor Storage Partners - 86, an Illinois partnership and a General
          Partner of the Partnership ("Balcor Storage Partners") would be
          required for the Company to become a substituted Limited Partner.
          Although the Offer is not contingent upon the Company being made a
          substituted Limited Partner, effective upon the Company's acceptance
          for payment of the tendered Interests, the Interest Holder will grant
          to the Company an irrevocable proxy to vote such Interests in such
          manner as the Company shall deem proper.  If the maximum number of
          Interests sought are tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the
          Offer, the Company will own and be able to vote approximately 33.5% of
          the outstanding Interests.  Assuming, in addition, the purchase of the
          Everest Interests (defined below), the Company will own and be able to
          vote approximately 37.8% of the outstanding Interests.  The Company
          could then be in a position to influence decisions of the Partnership
          on which Interest Holders are entitled to vote.  Under the Partnership
          Agreement, Interest Holders are entitled to vote, subject to certain
          provisions of the Partnership Agreement, to:  (i) approve any proposed
          sale of all or substantially all real property assets of the
          Partnership; (ii) remove either or both of the General Partners and
          elect or approve a successor to any removed or withdrawn General
          Partner; (iii) dissolve the Partnership; (iv) approve any amendment of
          the Partnership Agreement; and (v) convert the Partnership into a real
          estate investment trust.  Except as described under "Background and
          Purpose of the Offer -- Purpose of the Offer," the Company has no
          current intention with regard to any of these matters.  The Company
          will vote the Interests acquired pursuant to the Offer in its
          interest, which may, or may not, be in the best interests of non-
          tendering Interest Holders.

          Lack of Trading Market.  There is no established or regular trading
          ----------------------                                             
          market for the Interests, nor is there another reliable standard for
          determining the fair market value of an Interest.  Interest Holders
          who desire liquidity may wish to consider the Offer.  The Offer
          affords Interest Holders an opportunity to dispose of their Interests
          for cash, which alternative otherwise might not be available to them.
          However, the Offer Price is not intended to represent either the fair
          market value of an Interest or the fair market value of the
          Partnership's assets on a per Interest basis.

          Alternatives to Tendering Interests.  As alternatives to tendering
          -----------------------------------                               
          their Interests, Interest Holders could retain their Interests until
          liquidation of the Partnership or seek a private sale of their
          Interests now or later.  Under the Partnership Agreement, the
          Partnership can be dissolved upon the agreement by Interest 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
          Holders holding a majority of the then-outstanding Interests owned by
          Interest Holders.

          Each Interest Holder must make his or her own decision regarding the
Offer based on his or her particular circumstances.  Interest Holders should
consult with their respective advisors about the financial, tax, legal and other
implications to them of accepting the Offer.  INTEREST HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ
THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE
DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO TENDER THEIR INTERESTS.

          The Offer is not conditioned on the tender of a minimum number of
Interests.  THE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MAY 14,
1996, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE").  INTERESTS WHICH ARE OFFERED FOR
TENDER IN THE OFFER MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.
Following the expiration of the Offer, the Company may make an offer for
Interests not tendered in this Offer, which may be on terms similar or different
from those described in the Offer.  There is no assurance that, following the
Expiration Date, the Company will make another offer for Interests not tendered
in the Offer.

                      BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE OFFER

The Partnership

          All information in this section regarding the Partnership has been
obtained from publicly available information prepared by, or on behalf of, the
Partnership.  The Company assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any such
information.

          The Partnership is an Illinois limited partnership formed in May 1986,
which raised $64,226,000 from the sale of Limited Partnership interests at $250
per interest.  The Partnership's operations consist exclusively of investment in
and operation of income-producing mini-warehouse and office/warehouse
facilities.

          The Partnership acquired four mini-warehouse properties in 1986 and
seven mini-warehouse properties in 1987 from affiliates of one of the General
Partners.  In addition, the Partnership acquired from non-affiliated entities
four mini-warehouse facilities in 1987 and nine mini-warehouse facilities in
1988.  Information with regard to the Partnership's properties is set forth in
Schedule 1, attached hereto.

          The General Partners of the Partnership are Balcor Storage Partners -
86 and Colonial Storage 86, Inc.  The Partnership's properties are managed by
Colonial, an affiliate of one of the General Partners of the Partnership.

          Set forth below is Selected Financial Data for the Partnership which
was excerpted from the information contained in the Partnership's Form 10-K
dated December 31, 1995, which was filed with the Commission.  More
comprehensive financial information is included in this report and other
documents filed by the Partnership with the Commission, and the following
information is qualified in its entirety by reference to such report and other
documents and all of the financial information and notes contained therein.
This report and other documents may be examined and copies may be obtained in
the manner described below.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Year Ended December 31,
                            -------------------------------------------
                             1991      1992       1993    1994    1995
                            ------  -----------  ------  ------  ------
                             (In thousands, except per Interest data)
<S>                         <C>     <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>
Operating Data:
 
 Rental income............  $6,838    $7,175     $7,704  $8,385  $8,822
 Interest income..........     133        77         60      97     145
 Net income...............   2,339     2,650      3,149   3,910   4,269
 General Partners' share                       
   of net income..........      23        27         31      39      43
                                               
Limited Partners' per                          
  Interest data (1):                           
                                               
 Net income...............    9.01     10.21      12.14   15.07   16.45
 Distributions............   16.12     16.49      17.07   17.89   19.91

<CAPTION>  
                              As of December 31, 
                              ------------------
                                     1995
                                     ---- 
Balance Sheet Data:
 
 Total cash and cash
   equivalents............          $ 3,775,644
 Total mini-warehouse
   facilities, net........           41,768,686
 Total assets.............           45,544,330
 Total liabilities........              872,197
 Partners' capital........           44,672,133
 
</TABLE>
______________________

(1)  Limited Partners' per Interest data is based on the number of Interests
     (256,904) outstanding during the year.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
          The Partnership is subject to the informational filing requirements of
the Exchange Act and is required to file reports and other information with the
Commission relating to its business, financial condition and other matters.
These reports and other information filed by the Partnership may be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as at the
Regional Offices of the Commission at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New
York, New York  10048, and Citicorp Center, Suite 1400, 500 West Madison Street,
Chicago, Illinois  60661-2511.  Copies of such information can also be obtained
by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C.  20549 at prescribed rates.

The Company

          The Company is a REIT, organized in 1980 as a corporation under the
laws of California, that has invested primarily in existing mini-warehouses.
The Company is the largest owner of mini-warehouses in the United States.  The
Company has also invested to a much smaller extent in existing business parks
containing commercial and industrial rental space.  At December 31, 1995, the
Company had equity interests (through direct ownership, as well as general and
limited partnership and capital stock interests) in 1,044 properties located in
37 states, consisting of 1,009 mini-warehouses facilities and 35 business parks.
The Company's common stock (symbol "PSA") and eight series of preferred stock
are traded on the NYSE.

          The Company's principal executive offices are located at 600 North
Brand Boulevard, Suite 300, Glendale, California  91203.  Its telephone number
is (818) 244-8080.  Information with regard to the Company's officers and
directors is set forth in Schedule 2, attached hereto.

          Set forth below is certain summary financial data for the Company:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Year ended December 31,
                                        --------------------------------------------------
                                            1992        1993        1994        1995
                                            ----        ----        ----        ----  
                                                       (In thousands)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Operating Data:
 Total revenues................         $   97,448  $  114,680  $  147,196  $  202,134
 Depreciation and amortization.             22,405      24,998      28,274      40,760
 Interest expense..............              9,834       6,079       6,893       8,508
 Minority interest in income...              6,895       7,291       9,481       7,137
 Net income....................             15,123      28,036      42,118      70,386
 
<CAPTION>  
 
                                            December 31, 1995
                                        -------------------------
 
                                                  Actual
                                                  ------
<S>                                     <C> 
Balance Sheet Data:
 Total assets..................             $    1,937,461
 Total debt....................                    190,585
 Shareholders' equity..........                  1,634,508
 
</TABLE>

          Additional information concerning the Company is set forth in the
reports on the Company, which may be obtained from the Company, the Commission
or the NYSE, in the manner described inside the front cover of this Offer to
Purchase.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
Background of the Offer

          On July 27, 1993, the President of the Company sent a letter to the
President of Balcor Storage Partners - 86 setting forth a proposal to purchase
the Partnership's properties for $41.5 million.  The Company was subsequently
informed through a business associate that the Partnership was not interested in
the proposal.

          On September 28, 1993, the President of the Company sent a letter to
the President of Balcor Storage Partners - 86 stating that the Company was
prepared to make an offer for the Interests and requesting the General Partner
to confirm that the Partnership would remain neutral in connection with such an
offer.  On October 11, 1993, the President of Balcor Storage Partners - 86 sent
a letter to the President of the Company stating that the Partnership was not in
a position to state whether it would remain neutral in connection with an offer
by the Company, that it had rejected the offer described in the Company's July
27 letter out of a belief that the price offered was insufficient to provide
adequate returns to investors, and that the General Partners would consider
selling properties owned by the Partnership where such sales were in the best
interests of the Partnership.

          On October 19, 1993, the President of the Company sent a letter to the
President of Balcor Storage Partners - 86 stating that the Company was prepared
to make a tender offer for the Interests on the following terms:  (1) the offer
would be for up to 62,000 Interests; (2) the offer would be for $161.54 cash per
Interest (this price was based on the Company's July 27, 1993 offer for the
Partnership's properties); and (3) the offer would be commenced promptly and
would be conditioned upon the General Partner's agreement to substitute the
Company as a Limited Partner.  On November 3, 1993, the President of Balcor
Storage Partners - 86 sent a letter to the President of the Company stating that
the Partnership did not wish to discourage occasional purchases of Interests by
the Company, but that it had a fiduciary duty to assure compliance with the
publicly traded partnership rules for tax purposes.

          On November 8, 1993, the President of the Company sent a letter to the
President of Balcor Storage Partners - 86 offering to furnish to the General
Partner a tax opinion satisfactory to the General Partner and its counsel  that
the Company's proposed offer should not cause the Partnership to be taxed as a
"publicly traded partnership" within the meaning of the applicable tax statutes
and rules.  On November 16, 1993, the President of Balcor Storage Partners - 86
responded by letter to the President of the Company referencing the General
Partner's prior letters indicating additional concerns regarding the Company's
proposal, and stating that the General Partner continued to believe that the
Company's offer was insufficient and would not provide a fair return to Limited
Partners.  The letter concluded with a statement that the General Partner was
not in a position to remain neutral to the Company's proposed offer for the
Interests.

          No agreements, understandings or arrangements were reached.

          Beginning in August 1995 and continuing until January 1996, informal
discussions were held between officers and agents of the Company and
representatives of the Partnership regarding the acquisition by the Company of
the assets of or interests in the Partnership and in an affiliated partnership,
Balcor/Colonial Storage Income Fund - 85, and a possible acquisition by the
Company of the business of Colonial, the Partnership's property manager, by
merger or otherwise.  No arrangements, understandings or agreements were
reached.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
          Beginning in September 1995, the Company purchased in secondary market
transactions the following Interests in the Partnership:

<TABLE>                                            
<CAPTION>                                          
                                                             
          Purchase Date         Interests       Price Per Interest
          -------------         ---------       ------------------
          <S>                   <C>             <C>               
                                                                  
             09/27/95               163              $219.00         
             09/28/95                28               217.51         
             10/04/95                 8               215.00         
</TABLE>

          At the end of November 1995, the Company wrote to the Partnership to
request a list of the names and addresses of and interests held by all Partners.
The Company requested this list so that it could make an offer to purchase the
Interests.  The Partnership responded by letter in early December 1995 declining
to furnish the requested list and seeking further information.  In early January
1996 the Company, through counsel, repeated its request for the list.  The
Partnership agreed to provide the list to the Company for the purpose of making
tender offers.

          Subsequently, there were discussions between officers and agents of
the Company and representatives of the Partnership in which the Company was
advised that Everest Storage Investors, LLC ("Everest") had commenced a tender
offer to purchase up to 4.9% of the Interests at $160 per interest.  The Company
advised the Partnership that it too intended to make a tender offer.

          On January 25, 1996, the Company disseminated an offer to purchase up
to 64,226 Interests, 25% of the outstanding Interests, at a net cash price per
Interest of $200 (the "First Offer").

          On January 29, 1996, the Partnership sent a letter to Interest Holders
in which the General Partners advised Interest Holders to defer making a
determination as to whether to accept or reject the First Offer, and stating
that the General Partners would respond in writing to Interest Holders with
respect to the First Offer on or before February 9, 1996.

          On February 7, 1996, the Partnership sent a letter to Interest Holders
and filed a Schedule 14D-9 with the Commission in which the General Partners
stated that they were "expressing no opinion and are remaining neutral" with
respect to the First Offer.  The General Partners also referenced a report
prepared for the Partnership by the Valuation Counselors Group and Darby &
Associates, Joint Venture (the "Darby Report") setting forth a preliminary
estimate of a present value per Interest of $280 as of December 31, 1995, based
upon an estimate of the present value of the Partnership's future cash flows and
the sale of the Partnership's assets at year-end 2000, adjusted for (A) the
current assets and current liabilities of the Partnership, (B) the present value
of the Partnership's administrative costs, including management fees, and 
(C) the anticipated costs of dissolution and termination of the Partnership. The
General Partners indicated that this calculation does not represent the amount
an Interest Holder would receive if the Partnership were to sell its remaining
assets in the near future.

          On February 23, 1996, the Partnership sent a letter to Interest
Holders and filed Amendment No. 1 to its Schedule 14D-9 stating that its
position with respect to the First Offer had not changed and informing Interest
Holders of a non-binding proposal from Storage Trust Realty ("STR") to purchase
all of the Partnership's properties for a purchase price of $61 million.

          On March 7, 1996, the Partnership sent a letter to Interest Holders
and filed Amendment No. 2 to its Schedule 14D-9 stating that the General
Partners had entered into a binding purchase contract with STR to sell all of
the Partnership properties for $67.1 million (the "Contract").  The Contract is
contingent upon, among other things, approval by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding Interests.  The Contract provides that the sale will be closed
on May 15, 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
1996, subject to extension to not later than July 15, 1996, as necessary to
obtain Interest Holder approval. The General Partners estimated that if the sale
is consummated and if no adjustments to the purchase price are made, such sale
(together with the distributable cash in the Partnership) would result in a
liquidating distribution to Interest Holders of approximately $255 per Interest,
after deducting professional fees, commissions and dissolution expenses. The
General Partners indicated, however, that even in the event such sale is
consummated, there can be no assurance that this level of liquidating
distribution will actually be paid to Interest Holders.

          The First Offer expired on March 12, 1996.  At the expiration of the
First Offer, 9,679.698 Interests, representing approximately 3.77% of the
outstanding Interests, had been tendered.  The Company accepted for payment
8,968.678 of these Interests, representing all of the validly tendered
Interests.  Subsequent to the expiration of the First Offer, the Company offered
to purchase for $240 per Interest the Interests acquired by Everest in its
tender offer, and on March 21, 1996, the Company and Everest entered into an
agreement for the purchase of 10,999 Interests (the "Everest Interests") at that
price.  The Company owns 9,167.678 Interests, or approximately 3.6% of the
outstanding Interests.  Assuming the purchase of the Everest Interests, the
Company will own 20,166.678 Interests, or approximately 7.8% of the outstanding
Interests.

Purpose of the Offer

          The Company believes that the acquisition of Interests through the
Offer represents a good investment for the Company and its shareholders.  The
Company is acquiring the Interests for investment purposes and has not finalized
its plans with respect to the Partnership.  The Company's plans with respect to
the Partnership and the Company's ability to influence actions on which Interest
Holders have a right to vote, will depend on Interest Holders' response to the
Offer (i.e., the number of Interests tendered).  The Company does not intend to
vote the Interests it currently owns or any Interests acquired in the Offer for
the Contract.  The Company may solicit opposition to the Contract.  Depending on
the number of Interests acquired by the Company in the Offer, the Company may
seek to renew discussions regarding the acquisition of Colonial or otherwise
seek to obtain the right to manage the Partnership's properties.

          Following the completion of the Offer, the Company may acquire
additional Interests.  Any such acquisitions may be made through private
purchases, through one or more future tender offers or by any other means deemed
advisable by the Company.  Any such acquisitions may be at a price higher or
lower than the Offer Price.

                          DETERMINATION OF OFFER PRICE

          The Offer Price has been established by the Company and is not the
result of arm's length negotiations between the Company and the Partnership.
The Company established the Offer Price based on its own independent analysis of
the Partnership.

          In connection with the First Offer, the Company performed an analysis
of the Partnership by (i) applying to the Partnership's properties net operating
income (nine months ended September 30, 1995 annualized), as adjusted for the
Partnership's general and administrative expenses and a reduction for estimated
capital expenditures (2.5% of rental income), a capitalization rate of 10.5%,
(ii) adding the Partnership's other net assets, primarily cash and cash
equivalents and (iii) deducting the distribution paid to Interest Holders in
October 1995.  Based on this analysis, the Company arrived at a price of $200.

          On February 7, 1996, the Partnership filed a Schedule 14D-9 with the
Commission that referenced a preliminary estimate contained in the Darby Report
that, as of December 31, 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
1995, the value of an Interest was $280, based upon an estimate of the present
value of the Partnership's future cash flows and the sale of the Partnership's
assets at year-end 2000, adjusted for (A) the current assets and current
liabilities of the Partnership, (B) the present value of the Partnership's
administrative costs, including management fees, and (C) the anticipated costs
of dissolution and termination of the Partnership. The Partnership indicated
that this calculation does not represent the amount an Interest Holder would
receive if the Partnership were to sell its remaining assets in the near future.

          Subsequent to the expiration of the First Offer, the Company offered
to purchase for $240 per Interest the Interests acquired by Everest in its
tender offer, and on March 21, 1996, the Company and Everest entered into an
agreement for the purchase of 10,999 Interests at that price.

          As described under "Background and Purpose of the Offer -- Background
of the Offer," if the properties are sold pursuant to the Contract, and no
adjustments are made, the General Partners estimate that the sale would result
in a liquidating distribution of $255 per Interest.  The Company has
unilaterally adjusted this amount to reflect the possibility that Interest
Holders will not receive a liquidating distribution in that amount and has
arrived at an Offer Price of $240.  The Offer Price reflects a capitalization
rate of approximately 8.74% to Partnership's net operating income for the period
and after the adjustments described above (compared to a capitalization rate of
10.5% at a price of $200 per Interest).

                                   THE OFFER

Terms of the Offer

          Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including,
if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms of any such extension or
amendment), the Company will accept for payment and pay for up to 77,000
Interests.  The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time,
on May 14, 1996, unless and until the Company in its sole discretion shall have
extended the period of time for which the Offer is open, in which event the term
"Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date on which the Offer, as so
extended by the Company, shall expire.

          The Offer Price is $240 per Interest.  The Offer Price will be reduced
by the amount per Interest of any Partnership distribution, other than the
regular quarterly distribution relating to Partnership operations for the first
quarter of 1996.  Interest Holders who tender their Interests will not be
obligated to pay partnership transfer fees or commissions.

          The Offer is conditioned on satisfaction of certain conditions as set
forth herein.  The Company reserves the right (but shall not be obligated), in
its discretion, to waive any or all of such conditions.  If, by the Expiration
Date, any or all of such conditions have not been satisfied or waived, the
Company reserves the right (but shall not be obligated) to (i) decline to
purchase any of the Interests tendered and terminate the Offer, (ii) waive all
the unsatisfied conditions and, subject to complying with applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission, purchase all Interests validly tendered, 
(iii) extend the Offer and, subject to the right of Interest Holders to withdraw
Interests until the Expiration Date, retain the Interests that have been
tendered during the period or periods for which the Offer is extended or 
(iv) amend the Offer.

          The Company owns 9,167.678 Interests, or approximately 3.6% of the
outstanding Interests.  If all 77,000 Interests are validly tendered and
accepted for payment, the Company will own approximately 33.5% of the
outstanding Interests upon completion of the Offer.  Assuming, in 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
addition, the purchase of the Everest Interests, the Company will own 97,166.678
Interests, or approximately 37.8% of the outstanding Interests.

Proration of Interests; Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Interests

          If the number of Interests validly tendered prior to the Expiration
Date and not withdrawn is not more than 77,000 Interests, the Company, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, will accept for payment all
Interests so tendered.  If the number of Interests validly tendered and not
withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date is more than 77,000 Interests, the
Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, will accept
for payment only 77,000 Interests, with such Interests purchased on a pro rata
basis according to the number of Interests validly tendered and not properly
withdrawn by each Interest Holder prior to the Expiration Date, with adjustments
to avoid purchases of prorated fractional Interests.

          If proration of tendered Interests is required, because of the
difficulty of determining the number of Interests validly tendered and not
withdrawn, the Company may not be able to announce the final results of such
proration until at least approximately seven business days after the Expiration
Date.  Subject to the Company's obligation under Rule 14e-1(c) under the
Exchange Act to pay Interest Holders the Offer Price in respect of Interests
validly tendered or return those Interests promptly after the termination or
withdrawal of the Offer, the Company does not intend to pay for any Interests
accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer until the final proration results are
known.  Notwithstanding any such delay in payment, no interest will be paid on
the Offer Price.

          Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including,
if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any extension
or amendment), the Company will accept for payment, and will pay for, Interests
validly tendered and not withdrawn in accordance with the Offer, as promptly as
practicable following the Expiration Date.  In all cases, payment for Interests
purchased pursuant to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the
Depositary of a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and
any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.

          For purposes of the Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have
accepted for payment (and thereby purchased) tendered Interests when, as and if
the Company gives oral or written notice to the Depositary of the Company's
acceptance for payment of such Interests pursuant to the Offer.  No tender of
Interests will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and
irregularities have been cured or waived.  Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Offer, payment for Interests purchased pursuant to the Offer
will in all cases be made by deposit of the purchase price with the Depositary,
which will act as agent for the tendering Interest Holders for the purpose of
receiving payment from the Company and transmitting payment to tendering
Interest Holders.  Under no circumstances will interest be paid on the Offer
Price by reason of any delay in making such payment.

          If any tendered Interests are not accepted for payment pursuant to the
Offer for any reason, the Letter of Transmittal with respect to such Interests
not purchased will be destroyed by the Depositary.  If acceptance for payment
of, or payment for, any Interests tendered pursuant to the Offer is delayed or
the Company is unable to accept for payment, or pay for, Interests tendered
pursuant to the Offer, then, without prejudice to the Company's rights under the
Offer (but subject to compliance with Rule 14e-1(c)) under the Exchange Act),
the Depositary may, nevertheless, on behalf of the Company, retain tendered
Interests, subject to any limitations of applicable law, and such Interests may
not be withdrawn except to the extent that the tendering Interest Holders are
entitled to withdrawal rights as described in the Offer.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
          If, prior to the Expiration Date, the Company shall increase the
consideration offered to Interest Holders pursuant to the Offer, such increased
consideration shall be paid for all Interests accepted for payment pursuant to
the Offer, whether or not such Interests were tendered prior to such increase.

          The Company reserves the right to transfer or assign, at any time and
from time to time, in whole or in part, to one or more affiliates or direct or
indirect subsidiaries of the Company, the right to purchase Interests tendered
pursuant to the Offer, but no such transfer or assignment will relieve the
Company of its obligations under the Offer or prejudice the rights of tendering
Interest Holders to receive payment for Interests validly tendered and accepted
for payment pursuant to the Offer.

Procedures for Tendering Interests

          For Interests to be validly tendered pursuant to the Offer, a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, and any other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one
of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase on or
prior to the Expiration Date.  In order for a tendering Interest Holder to
participate in the Offer, Interests must be validly tendered and not withdrawn
prior to the Expiration Date, which is 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on May 14,
1996 (unless extended).

          The method of delivery of the Letter of Transmittal and all other
required documents is at the option and risk of the tendering Interest Holder,
and delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Depositary.
If delivery is by mail, registered mail, with return receipt requested, properly
insured, is recommended.  In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed for
timely delivery.

          By executing a Letter of Transmittal as set forth above, a tendering
Interest Holder irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Company and any
designee of the Company as the true and lawful attorney in fact and proxy of
such Interest Holder, in the manner set forth in the Letter of Transmittal, with
full power of substitution, to the full extent of such Interest Holder's rights
with respect to the Interests tendered by such Interest Holder and accepted for
payment by the Company.  All such proxies will be considered coupled with an
interest in the tendered Interests.  Such appointment will be effective when,
and only to the extent that, the Company accepts such Interests for payment.
Upon such acceptance for payment, (i) all prior proxies given by such Interest
Holder with respect to such Interests will, without further action, be revoked,
except the irrevocable proxy granted to the General Partners pursuant to 
Article XXI of the Partnership Agreement, (ii) no subsequent proxies may be
given (and if given will not be effective) and (iii) the Company will be
empowered to exercise all voting and other rights of such Interest Holder with
respect to such Interests as the Company in its sole discretion may deem proper
at any meeting of Interest Holders, by written consent or otherwise. The Offer
is not contingent upon the Company being made a substituted Limited Partner. If
the Company is not made a substituted Limited Partner, upon acceptance for
payment of the Interests, the Company shall be entitled to the full rights and
benefits of an assignee of the Interests, including, but not limited to, all
economic benefits of ownership and all voting rights.

          All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Interests pursuant to the
procedures described above will be determined in the discretion of the Company,
which determination shall be final and binding.  The Company reserves the
absolute right to reject any or all tenders if not in proper form or if the
acceptance of, or payment for, the Interests tendered may be unlawful in the
opinion of the Company's counsel.  The Company also reserves the right to waive
any defect or irregularity in any tender with respect to any particular
Interests of any particular Interest Holder, and the Company's 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including the Letter of
Transmittal and the Instructions thereto) will be final and binding. Neither the
Company, the Depositary nor any other person will be under any duty to give
notification of any defects or irregularities in the tender of any Interests or
will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.

          Assignees must provide documentation to the Depositary which
demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Company, such person's status as an
assignee of an Interest.

          A tender of Interests pursuant to any of the procedures described
above will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering Interest Holder
and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer,
including the tendering Interest Holder's representation and warranty that such
Interest Holder owns the Interests being tendered.

Withdrawal Rights

          Except as otherwise provided in the Offer, all tenders of Interests
pursuant to the Offer are irrevocable, provided that Interests tendered pursuant
to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.  Tenders
of Interests not accepted for payment by the Company pursuant to the Offer may
also be withdrawn at any time after June 14, 1996.

          For withdrawal to be effective, a written or facsimile transmission
notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Depositary at one of the
addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase.  Any such
notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the
Interests to be withdrawn, the number of Interests to be withdrawn, and must be
signed by the person(s) who signed the Letter of Transmittal in the same manner
as the Letter of Transmittal was signed.  The signature(s) on the notice of
withdrawal must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (a bank,
stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union with membership in an
approved signature guarantee medallion program).

          If acceptance for payment of, or payment for, Interests is delayed for
any reason or if the Company is unable to accept for payment, or pay for,
Interests for any reason, without prejudice to the Company's rights under the
Offer, tendered Interests may be retained by the Depositary on behalf of the
Company and may not be withdrawn except to the extent that tendering Interest
Holders are entitled to withdrawal rights as set forth herein, subject to 
Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, which provides that no person who makes a
tender offer shall fail to pay the consideration offered or return the
securities deposited by or on behalf of security holders promptly after the
termination or withdrawal of the tender offer.

          All questions as to the form and validity (including timeliness of
receipt) of notices of withdrawal will be determined by the Company, in its sole
discretion, which determination shall be final and binding.  Neither the
Company, the Depositary, nor any other person will be under any duty to give
notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or
will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.

          Any Interests properly withdrawn will be deemed not to be validly
tendered for purposes of the Offer.  Withdrawn Interests may be re-tendered,
however, by following any of the procedures described in the Offer at any time
prior to the Expiration Date.

Extension of Tender Period; Termination and Amendment

          The Company expressly reserves the right, in its discretion, at any
time and from time to time, (i) to extend the period of time during which the
Offer is open and thereby delay 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
acceptance for payment of, and the payment for, any Interests by giving oral or
written notice of such extension to the Depositary (during any such extension
all Interests previously tendered and not withdrawn will remain subject to the
Offer), (ii) to terminate the Offer and not accept for payment any Interests not
theretofore accepted for payment or paid for, by giving oral or written notice
of such termination to the Depositary, (iii) upon the occurrence of any of the
conditions specified in the Offer, delay the acceptance for payment of, or
payment for, any Interests not theretofore accepted for payment or paid for, by
giving oral or written notice of such termination or delay to the Depositary and
(iv) to amend the Offer in any respect (including, without limitation, by
increasing or decreasing the consideration offered or the number of Interests
being sought in the Offer or both) by giving oral or written notice of such
amendment to the Depositary.

          Any extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly
as practicable by public announcement, the announcement in the case of an
extension to be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next
business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date, in accordance with
the public announcement requirement of Rule 14d-4(c) under the Exchange Act.
Without limiting the manner in which the Company may choose to make any public
announcement, except as provided by applicable law (including Rule 14d-4(c) and
Rule 14d-6(d) under the Exchange Act), the Company will have no obligation to
publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement, other
than by issuing a release to the Dow Jones News Service.  The Company may also
be required by applicable law to disseminate to Interest Holders certain
information concerning the extensions of the Offer and any material changes in
the terms of the Offer.

          If the Company extends the Offer, or if the Company (whether before or
after its acceptance for payment of Interests) is delayed in its payment for
Interests or is unable to pay for Interests pursuant to the Offer for any
reason, then, without prejudice to the Company's rights under the Offer, the
Depositary may retain tendered Interests on behalf of the Company, and such
Interests may not be withdrawn except to the extent tendering Interest Holders
are entitled to withdrawal rights as described in the Offer.  However, the
ability of the Company to delay payment for Interests that the Company has
accepted for payment is limited by Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, which
requires that the Company pay the consideration offered or return the securities
deposited by or on behalf of holders of securities promptly after the
termination or withdrawal of the Offer.

          If the Company increases or decreases the number of Interests being
sought or the consideration to be paid for Interests, and the Offer is scheduled
to expire before the expiration of a period of 10 business days from, and
including, the date that notice of such increase or decrease is first published,
sent or given, the Offer will be extended until, at a minimum, the expiration of
such period of 10 business days.  If the Company makes a material change in the
terms of the Offer or the information concerning the Offer or waives a material
condition of the Offer, the Company will extend the Offer to comply with the
Commission's interpretations of Rules 14d-4(c) and 14d-6(d) under the Exchange
Act.  The minimum period during which an offer must remain open following a
material change in the terms of the offer or information concerning the offer,
other than a change in price, percentage of securities sought or the Soliciting
Agent's fee, will depend upon the facts and circumstances, including the
relative materiality of the change in the terms or information.  (In the
Commission's view, an offer should remain open for a minimum of five business
days from the date such material change is first published, sent or given to
security holders.)  With respect to a change in price, percentage of securities
sought or the soliciting agent's fee, however, a minimum period of 10 business
days is required to allow for adequate dissemination to security holders and for
investor response.

          The Company also reserves the right, in its discretion, in the event
any of the conditions of the Offer shall not have been satisfied and so long as
Interests have not theretofore been accepted for payment, to delay (except as
otherwise required by applicable law) acceptance for 

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
payment of or payment for Interests or to terminate the Offer and not accept for
payment or pay for Interests.

          Following the termination of the Offer, the Company may make an offer
for Interests not tendered in this Offer, which may be on terms similar or
different from those described in the Offer.  There is no assurance that,
following the Expiration Date, the Company will make another offer for Interests
not tendered in the Offer.

Source of Funds

          The Company expects that approximately $18,675,000 is necessary to
consummate the Offer, including related fees and expenses, assuming all 77,000
of the Interests are tendered and accepted for payment.  These funds will be
available from the Company's general corporate funds.

Conditions of the Offer

          Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Offer, subject to the
applicable rules of the Commission, and in addition to (and not in limitation
of) the Company's rights to extend and amend the Offer at any time in its sole
discretion, the obligation of the Company to complete the purchase of validly
tendered Interests is subject to each and all of the following conditions which,
in the reasonable judgment of the Company with respect to each and every matter
referred to below and regardless of the circumstances (including any action or
inaction by the Company) giving rise to any such condition, makes it inadvisable
to proceed with the Offer or with such acceptance for purchase:

               (a) There shall not be threatened, instituted or pending any
          action or proceeding before any domestic or foreign court or
          governmental agency or other regulatory or administrative agency or
          commission (i) challenging the acquisition by the Company of the
          Interests, seeking to restrain or prohibit the making or consummation
          of the Offer, seeking to obtain any material damages or otherwise
          directly or indirectly relating to the transactions contemplated by
          the Offer, (ii) seeking to prohibit or restrict the Company's
          ownership or operation of any material portion of the Company's
          business or assets, or to compel the Company to dispose of or hold
          separate all or any material portion of its business or assets as a
          result of the Offer, (iii) seeking to make the purchase of, or payment
          for, some or all of the Interests illegal, (iv) resulting in a delay
          in the ability of the Company to accept for payment or pay for some or
          all of the Interests, (v) imposing material limitations on the ability
          of the Company effectively to acquire or hold or to exercise full
          rights of ownership of the Interests, including the right to vote the
          Interests purchased by the Company on all matters properly presented
          to Limited Partners of the Partnership, (vi) which could materially
          and adversely affect the treatment of the Offer for federal income tax
          purposes, (vii) which otherwise is reasonably likely to materially
          adversely affect the Partnership or the value of the Interests or
          (viii) which imposes any material condition unacceptable to the
          Company;

               (b) No statute, rule, regulation or order shall be enacted,
          promulgated, entered or deemed applicable to the Offer, no legislation
          shall be pending and no other action shall have been taken, proposed
          or threatened by any domestic government or governmental authority or
          by any court, domestic or foreign, which is likely, directly or
          indirectly, to result in any of the consequences referred to in
          paragraph (a) above; or

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
               (c) There shall have not occurred (i) any general suspension of,
          or limitation on prices for, trading in securities on the NYSE, 
          (ii) the declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of
          payments in respect of banks in the United States, (iii) the
          commencement of a war, armed hostilities or other international or
          national calamity materially affecting the United States, (iv) any
          limitation by any governmental authority or any other event which is
          reasonably likely to affect the extension of credit by banks or other
          lending institutions in the United States, (v) any material decline in
          security prices on the NYSE or (vi) in the case of any of the
          foregoing existing at the time of the Offer, any material worsening
          thereof.

          The foregoing conditions are for the benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company in its reasonable discretion regardless of the
circumstances giving rise to any such conditions (including any action or
inaction by the Company) or may be waived by the Company in whole or in part at
any time and from time to time in its reasonable discretion.  Any determination
by the Company will be final and binding on all parties.  The failure by the
Company at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed
a waiver of any such right, and each such right shall be deemed a continuing
right which may be asserted at any time and from time to time.  If any such
conditions are waived, the Offer will remain open for a minimum of five business
days from the date notice of such waiver is first published, sent or given to
Interest Holders.

Certain Fees and Expenses

          The Company has retained The First National Bank of Boston to act as
Depositary in connection with the Offer.  The Company will pay the Depositary
reasonable and customary compensation for its services.  The Company will
indemnify the Depositary against certain liabilities and expenses in connection
therewith, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.  The Company
will also pay all costs and expenses of printing and mailing the Offer.

          Assuming all 77,000 Interests are tendered and accepted for payment by
the Company, expenses of the Offer (exclusive of the purchase price of the
Interests) are estimated at $195,000:  including legal and accounting fees and
expenses ($15,000), printing ($10,000), Depositary fees and expenses ($20,000),
Soliciting Agent fees and expenses ($120,000), distribution of Offer materials
($15,000) and miscellaneous ($15,000).

Soliciting Agent

          The Company has retained The Weil Company, a registered broker dealer,
to answer questions and solicit responses to this transaction.  The Company will
pay The Weil Company .5% of the Offer Price for each Interest tendered and
accepted by the Company.  In addition, The Weil Company will be reimbursed for
certain out-of-pocket expenses up to a maximum of $25,000 and will be
indemnified against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal
securities laws.  The Weil Company has acted in a similar capacity in connection
with other tender and exchange offers by the Company and in soliciting consents
from the limited partners of other partnerships sponsored by the Company or its
affiliates.

Dissenters' Rights and Investor Lists

          Neither the Partnership Agreement nor Illinois law provides any right
for Interest Holders to have their respective Interests appraised or redeemed in
connection with or as a result of the Offer.  Each Interest Holder has the
opportunity to make an individual decision on whether or not to tender in the
Offer.  Under the Partnership Agreement, (i) the Partnership shall furnish a

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
list of names and addresses of and Interests held by all Partners to any
Interest Holder who requests such a list in writing for any proper purpose, such
cost to be borne by the requesting Interest Holder, and (ii) the books and
records of the Partnership shall be open to the inspection and examination of
the Partners or their duly authorized representatives during reasonable business
hours at the principal office of the Partnership.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

          Tax Treatment of a Tender of Interests by an Interest Holder.  The
tender of Interests for cash pursuant to the Offer will be treated for federal
income tax purposes as a taxable sale of such tendered Interests.  The
particular tax consequences of the tender for an Interest Holder will depend
upon a number of factors related to the particular Interest Holder's tax
situation, including the Interest Holder's adjusted tax basis in his or her
Interests.  The gain or loss recognized by an Interest Holder upon a sale of
Interests pursuant to the Offer will be based on the difference between the cash
received by the Interest Holder and the Interest Holder's adjusted tax basis in
such Interests.  See "Basis of Interests" below.  To the extent that the amount
realized exceeds the Interest Holder's adjusted basis for the Interests sold,
the Interest Holder will recognize gain.  To the extent that the amount realized
is less than the Interest Holder's adjusted basis for the Interests sold, the
Interest Holder will recognize a loss.  INTEREST HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF A SALE OF
THEIR INTERESTS PURSUANT TO THE OFFER IN LIGHT OF THEIR SPECIFIC TAX SITUATION.

          Except as described below, any gain or loss recognized upon a sale of
Interests will be treated as gain or loss attributable to the sale or
disposition of a capital asset.  An Interest Holder would recognize ordinary
income, however, to the extent that the amount realized upon the sale of an
Interest that is considered attributable to the Interest Holder's share of the
"unrealized receivables" of the Partnership, as defined in Section 751 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), exceeds the basis
attributable to those assets.  "Unrealized receivables" include, to the extent
not previously includable in Partnership income, any rights to payment for
services rendered or to be rendered and also any amounts that would be subject
to recapture as ordinary income (for example, depreciation recapture with
respect to personal property) if the Partnership had sold its assets at their
fair market value at the time of the sale of an Interest.  To the extent an
Interest Holder recognizes a capital loss, such loss can be applied to offset
capital gains from other sources.  Individuals may use capital losses in excess
of capital gains to offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income in any single year
($1,500 for a married individual filing a separate return).  Any capital losses
that are not used currently can be carried forward and used in subsequent years.
A corporation's capital losses in excess of current capital gains generally may
be carried back three years, with any remaining unused portion available to be
carried forward for five years.

          Basis of Interests.  In general, an Interest Holder had an initial tax
basis in his or her Interests ("Initial Basis") equal to cash investment in the
Partnership (plus his or her proportionate share of the Partnership's
nonrecourse liabilities at the time he or she acquired his or her Interests).
An Interest Holder's Initial Basis generally has been increased by (a) such
Interest Holder's share of Partnership taxable income and (b) any increases in
his or her share of liabilities of the Partnership.  Generally, such Interest
Holder's Initial Basis has been decreased (but not below zero) by (i) his or her
share of Partnership cash distributions, (ii) any decreases in his or her share
of liabilities of the Partnership, (iii) his or her share of losses of the
Partnership, and (iv) his or her share of nondeductible expenditures of the
Partnership that are not chargeable to capital.  (Because "syndication costs"
are chargeable to capital and not deductible for tax purposes, an Interest
Holder's basis in his or her Interests would include his or her share of the
syndication costs incurred by the Partnership at formation.)

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
          Passive Activity Income.  If an Interest Holder disposes of his or her
entire interest in the Partnership, such Interest Holder will be able to utilize
any unused suspended "passive" losses from the Partnership (net of any gain
recognized on the disposition) to offset income, including income from sources
other than the sale of an Interest recognized by such Interest Holder.

          Gain, if any, recognized by an Interest Holder in connection with the
sale of an Interest pursuant to the Offer will constitute "passive activity
income" for purposes of the "passive activity loss" limitation rules.
Accordingly, such income generally may be offset by losses from all sources,
including suspended passive losses with respect to the Partnership and passive
or active losses from other activities.

          Loss, if any, recognized by an Interest Holder in connection with the
sale of less than all of an Interest Holder's Interests pursuant to the Offer
may be subject to limitation under the passive loss rules.  Each Interest Holder
should consult with his or her own tax advisor concerning whether, and the
extent to which, the Interest Holder has available suspended "passive activity"
losses from either the Partnership or other investments that may be used to
offset gain from a sale of Interests pursuant to the Offer and whether any
losses recognized are subject to limitation under the passive loss rules.

          Backup Withholding.  A taxable Interest Holder (other than
corporations and certain foreign individuals) who tenders Interests may be
subject to 31% backup withholding unless the Interest Holder provides his or her
taxpayer identification number ("TIN") and certifies that he or she is not
subject to backup withholding.  An Interest Holder who is subject to backup
withholding must contact the Company as set forth in the Letter of Transmittal.
If backup withholding applies, the Company will withhold 31% from payments to
such Interest Holder.  See the Letter of Transmittal.

Miscellaneous

          THE OFFER IS BEING MADE TO ALL INTEREST HOLDERS, PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT THE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO (NOR WILL TENDERS BE ACCEPTED FROM OR ON
BEHALF OF) INTEREST HOLDERS IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE MAKING OF THE OFFER
OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH
JURISDICTION.  THE COMPANY IS NOT AWARE OF ANY JURISDICTION WITHIN THE UNITED
STATES IN WHICH THE MAKING OF THE OFFER OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD BE
ILLEGAL.  HOWEVER, IF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION EXISTS, THE COMPANY MAY IN ITS
DISCRETION TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS IT MAY DEEM NECESSARY TO MAKE THE OFFER IN SUCH
JURISDICTION.

          Pursuant to Rule 14d-3 under the Exchange Act, the Company has filed
with the Commission a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1, together with
exhibits, furnishing certain additional information with respect to the Offer.
Such Statement and any amendments thereto, including exhibits, may be inspected
and copies may be obtained at the same places and in the same manner as set
forth above with respect to information concerning the Partnership (except that
they will not be available at the regional offices of the Commission).

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
               EFFECTS OF OFFER ON NON-TENDERING INTEREST HOLDERS

Significant Equity Interest

          After the Offer, the Company could own up to approximately 33.5% of
the Interests.  Assuming, in addition, the purchase of the Everest Interests,
the Company could own up to approximately 37.8% of the Interests.  Pursuant the
Partnership Agreement, the written consent of Balcor Storage Partners would be
required for the Company to become a substituted Limited Partner.  Although the
Offer is not contingent upon the Company being made a substituted Limited
Partner, effective upon the Company's acceptance for payment of the tendered
Interests, the Interest Holder will grant to the Company an irrevocable proxy to
vote such Interests in such manner as the Company shall deem proper.  The
Company could then be in a position to influence decisions of the Partnership on
which Interest Holders are entitled to vote.  Interest Holders cannot
participate in the management or control of the Partnership's business, except
insofar as the Interest Holders are entitled to vote as permitted by the
Partnership Agreement.  Under the Partnership Agreement, Interest Holders may
vote, subject to certain provisions of the Partnership Agreement, to:  
(i) approve any proposed sale of all or substantially all of the real property
assets of the Partnership; (ii) remove either or both of the General Partners
and elect or approve a successor to any removed or withdrawn General Partner;
(iii) dissolve the Partnership; (iv) approve any amendment of the Partnership
Agreement; and (v) convert the Partnership into a real estate investment trust.
The Company will vote the Interests acquired pursuant to this Offer according to
its interest, which may or may not be in the best interests of non-tendering
Interest Holders.  See "Background and Purpose of the Offer -- Purpose of the
Offer" for further description of the Company's intentions regarding the
Interests.

Effect on Trading Market

          There is no established public trading market for the Interests, and
it is not anticipated that one will develop.  Accordingly, a reduction in the
number of Interest Holders should not materially further restrict the Interest
Holders' ability to find purchasers for their Interests.

Partnership Status

          The Company does not believe that the purchase of Interests by the
Company, as proposed, will adversely affect whether the Partnership is
classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

Partnership Business

          The Company does not believe that the Offer will materially affect the
operation of the properties owned by the Partnership.

          Although after the Offer the Company may acquire additional Interests
thereby increasing its ownership position in the Partnership, the Company has no
present plans or intentions with respect to the Partnership for a liquidation, a
merger, a sale or purchase of material assets or borrowings.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
Certain Restrictions on Transfer

          The Partnership Agreement restricts transfers of Interests if, in the
opinion of Balcor Storage Partners, such transfer would result in the
termination of the Partnership pursuant to Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code
(which termination would occur if 50% or more of the total interests in
Partnership capital and profits are transferred within a 12-month period).
Consequently, sales of Interests on the secondary market and in private
transactions during the 12-month period following completion of the Offer may be
restricted, and the Partnership may not process any requests for recognition of
transfers or substitution of Limited Partners upon a transfer of Interests
during such 12-month period if Balcor Storage Partners believes such transfer
causes a termination of the Partnership pursuant to Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the
Code.  Based on the number of Interests for which the Offer to Purchase is being
made (representing 30% of the outstanding Interests), and taking into account
normal historical levels of transfers of Interests (to the extent known to the
Company) and the Company's recent purchases of Interests, the Company does not
believe this restriction will be violated, and hence the Company does not
believe that sales pursuant to the Offer will cause the Partnership to terminate
for tax purposes.  The Company does not intend to purchase Interests to the
extent such purchase would cause a termination of the Partnership.  Non-
tendering Interest Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the
tax consequences in their particular situations of a termination of the
Partnership.


Effect on Exchange Act Regulation

          The Interests are currently registered under the Exchange Act.
Registration under the Exchange Act may be terminated upon application of the
Partnership to the Commission if there are fewer than 300 holders of interests
of record.  The Company does not believe that the Offer will result in the
termination of registration of the Interests under the Exchange Act.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
                           MARKET PRICES OF INTERESTS

          The Interests are not listed on any national securities exchange or
quoted in the over the counter market, and there is no established public
trading market for the Interests.  Secondary sales activity for the Interests
has been limited and sporadic.  Therefore, a reduction in the number of Interest
Holders should not materially further restrict the Interest Holders' ability to
find purchasers for their Interests.  The Company recently purchased 8,968.678
Interests at $200 per Interest through an Offer to Purchase distributed to
Interest Holders.  The Company also recently agreed to purchase 10,999 Interests
at $240 per Interest from Everest.  The Company does not have information
regarding the prices at which all secondary sales transactions in the Interests
have been effectuated.  Various organizations offer to purchase and sell limited
partnership interests (such as the Interests) in secondary sales transactions.
Various publications such as The Stanger Report summarize and report information
(on a monthly, bimonthly or less  frequent basis) regarding secondary sales
transactions in limited partnership interests (including the Interests),
including the prices at which such secondary sales transactions are effectuated.
Due in part to the inefficiency of the secondary markets, there can be no
assurances that future secondary trades will occur or result in similar prices.

          The information regarding sale transactions in Interests from The
Stanger Report is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     Reporting Period         Per Interest Transaction Price(1)      No. of
     ----------------         ---------------------------------      ------
                                    High             Low          Interests(2)
                                    ----             ---          ------------
<S>                           <C>                   <C>          <C>
 
     1993
     ----                    
     January 1 - March 31          $162.00          $120.00            365
     April 1 - June 30              166.00           115.00            433
     July 1 - September 30          183.00           140.00            416
     October 1 - December 31        187.00           142.00            608
 
     1994
     ---- 
     January 1 - March 31           200.00           150.00            428
     April 1 - June 30              199.00           175.00            441
     July 1 - September 30          199.00           169.00            996
     October 1 - December 31        205.00           140.00      (Not Available)
 
     1995
     ---- 
     January 1 - March 31           210.00           150.00            495
     April 1 - June 30              218.03           175.00            700
     July 1 - September 30          229.00           180.00            502
     September 1 - November 30      225.00           195.00            701
</TABLE>
______________
(1)  The Company does not know whether the transaction prices shown are before
     or after commissions.
(2)  The Company does not know the number of transactions.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
                                     * * *

          No person has been authorized to make any recommendation or
representation on behalf of the Company or to provide any information other than
that contained herein or in the Letter of Transmittal.  No such recommendation,
information or representation may be relied upon as having been authorized.

                                           PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.               
                                           600 North Brand Boulevard, Suite 300
                                           Glendale, California  91203-1241   
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                           By:   /s/ Harvey Lenkin
                                                 --------------------------
                                                 Harvey Lenkin                
                                                 President                     

April 15, 1996

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE 1

                             PARTNERSHIP PROPERTIES


As of December 31, 1995, the Partnership owned the properties described below:

<TABLE>                                                                    
<CAPTION>                                                                  
                                                     Net                   
                                                  Rentable                 
                                    Land            Area            No. of 
                                    Area           (Square         Rentable
       Location                    (Acres)          Feet)           Spaces 
       --------                    -------        ---------         ------ 
<S>                                <C>            <C>              <C>      
                                                          
201 Cobb Parkway                      3.1           47,980           431
Marietta, Georgia                                         
                                                          
6390 Winchester Road                  2.3           39,444           360
Memphis, Tennessee                                        
                                                          
5675 Summer Avenue                    2.4           46,010           377
Memphis, Tennessee (1)                                    
                                                          
2064 Briarcliff                       2.8           45,700           174
Atlanta, Georgia (2)                                      
                                                          
4333 Jackson Drive                    3.1           72,572           612
Garland, Texas                                            
                                                          
321 East Buckingham Road              2.1           40,701           299
Garland, Texas                                            
                                                          
3218 South Garnett Road               3.7           57,540           464
Tulsa, Oklahoma                                           
                                                          
5708 Fort Caroline Road               3.7           67,925           768
Jacksonville, Florida                                     
                                                          
3401 Avenue K                         4.7           87,654           897
Plano, Texas (3)                                          
                                                          
4301 and 4324 Poplar Level Road       4.1           81,892           798
Louisville, Kentucky (4)                                  
                                                          
2719 Morse Road                       4.3           62,190           518
Columbus, Ohio                                            
                                                          
5036 Cleveland Avenue                 5.0           65,086           583
Fort Myers, Florida                                       
                                                          
3281 Western Branch Boulevard         5.5           75,201           747
Chesapeake, Virginia                                                     

</TABLE> 

                                      1-1
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>                                                                    
<CAPTION>                                                                  
                                                    Net                    
                                                 Rentable                  
                                    Land           Area             No. of 
                                    Area          (Square          Rentable
       Location                    (Acres)         Feet)            Spaces 
       --------                    -------       ---------          ------ 
<S>                                <C>           <C>               <C>      
                                                          
2300 Kangaroo Drive                   4.0          47,502            657
Durham, North Carolina                                    
                                                          
23 W 650 Roosevelt Road               5.6          48,145            550
Winfield, Illinois (5)                                    
                                                          
1131 Semoran Boulevard                3.9          67,159            641
Casselberry, Florida                                      
                                                          
36 Pine Knoll Road                    4.2          50,325            446
Greenville, South Carolina (6)                            
                                                          
750 East Third Street                 3.3          55,700            450
Lexington, Kentucky                                       
                                                          
1900 U.S. Highway 19 South            5.4          80,732            748
Tarpon Springs, Florida                                   
                                                          
7415 West Dean Road                  11.7         205,190          1,107
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (7)                                  
                                                          
W229 N590 Foster Court and            3.0          49,632            219
N5 W22966 Bluemound Road                                  
Waukesha, Wisconsin (8)                                   
                                                          
3120 Breckenridge Lane                2.1          34,490            329
Louisville, Kentucky                                      
                                                          
2275 South Semoran Boulevard          1.9          30,050            345
Orlando, Florida                                          
                                                          
11195 Alpharetta Highway              9.1         113,310            680
Roswell, Georgia
</TABLE>

     (1)  The property consists of 374 units of mini-warehouse space and 3
          units of office/warehouse space.
     (2)  The property consists of 156 units of mini-warehouse space and 18
          units of office/warehouse space.
     (3)  The property consists of 855 units of mini-warehouse space and 42
          paved parking spaces.
     (4)  4301 and 4324 Poplar Level Road were purchased as one unit.
     (5)  The property consists of 455 units of mini-warehouse space and 95
          parking spaces.
     (6)  The property consists of 433 units of mini-warehouse space and 13
          units of office/warehouse space.
     (7)  The property consists of 694 units of mini-warehouse space and 413
          paved parking spaces.
     (8)  The property consists of 209 units of mini-warehouse space and 10
          units of office/warehouse space.

                                      1-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE 2

            DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Name of Director               Employer/Address/           Current Position/
or Executive Officer           Nature of Business          Dates of Employment
- --------------------           ------------------          -------------------
<S>                            <C>                         <C>                
                                                         
B. Wayne Hughes                Public Storage, Inc.        Chairman of the Board
(Executive Officer and         600 North Brand Boulevard   and Chief Executive
Director)                      Suite 300                   Officer
                               Glendale, CA  91203-1241    11/91 - present
 
                               Real estate investment
 
 
Harvey Lenkin                  Public Storage, Inc.        President
(Executive Officer and                                     11/91 - present
Director)                      Real estate investment
 

Ronald L. Havner, Jr.          Public Storage, Inc.        Senior Vice President
(Executive Officer)                                        from 11/13/95
                               Real estate investment      Chief Financial
                                                           Officer
                                                           11/91 - present

Hugh W. Horne                  Public Storage, Inc.        Senior Vice President
(Executive Officer)                                        from 11/13/95
                               Real estate investment      Vice President
                                                           1980-11/13/95
                                                           Secretary
                                                           1980-2/92

Marvin M. Lotz                 Public Storage, Inc.        Senior Vice President
(Executive Officer)                                        from 11/16/95
                               Real estate investment      Officer of
                                                           predecessor of the
                                                           Company
                                                           9/83-11/95

Mary Jayne Howard              Public Storage, Inc.        Senior Vice President
(Executive Officer)                                        from 11/16/95
                               Real estate investment      Officer of
                                                           predecessor of the
                                                           Company
</TABLE> 

                                      2-1
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>                                                                       
<CAPTION>                                                                     
                                                                              
Name of Director               Employer/Address/           Current Position/  
or Executive Officer           Nature of Business          Dates of Employment
- --------------------           ------------------          -------------------
<S>                            <C>                         <C>                 

David Goldberg                 Public Storage, Inc.        Senior Vice President
(Executive Officer)                                        and General Counsel
                               Real estate investment      from 11/16/95
                                                           Counsel to the 
                                                           Company 6/91-11/95

Obren B. Gerich                Public Storage, Inc.        Vice President 1980 -
(Executive Officer)                                        present Chief
                               Real estate investment      Financial Officer
                                                           1980-10/91
 
John Reyes                     Public Storage, Inc.        Vice President from
(Executive Officer)                                        11/13/95
                               Real estate investment      Controller 2/92 -
                                                           present
 
Sarah Hass                     Public Storage, Inc.        Vice President from
(Executive Officer)                                        11/13/95
                               Real estate investment      Secretary 2/92 -
                                                           present
 
Robert J. Abernethy            American Standard           President
(Director)                      Development Company        1977 - present
                               Self Storage Management
                                Company
                               5221 West 102nd Street
                               Los Angeles, CA  90045
 
                               Develops and operates
                               mini-warehouses

Dann V. Angeloff               The Angeloff Company        President
(Director)                     727 West Seventh Street     1976 - present
                               Suite 331
                               Los Angeles, CA  90017
 
                               Corporate financial
                               advisory firm
</TABLE> 

                                      2-2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>                                                                       
<CAPTION>                                                                     
                                                                              
Name of Director               Employer/Address/           Current Position/  
or Executive Officer           Nature of Business          Dates of Employment
- --------------------           ------------------          -------------------
<S>                            <C>                         <C>                 

William C. Baker               Carolina Restaurant         Chairman and Chief
(Director)                      Enterprises,Inc.           Executive Officer
                               3 Lochmoor Lane             1/92 - present
                               Newport Beach, CA  92660
 
                               Franchisee of Red Robin
                               International, Inc.
 
                               Red Robin International,    President
                               Inc.                        4/93-5/95
                               28 Executive Park, Suite
                               200
                               Irvine, CA  92714

                               Operates and franchises
                               restaurants
 
                               Private investor            3/88-1/92
 
Uri P. Harkham                 The Jonathan Martin         President and Chief
(Director)                     Fashion Group               Executive Officer
                               1157 South Crocker Street   1975 - present
                               Los Angeles, CA  90021
 
                               Designs, manufactures and
                               markets women's clothing

                               Harkham Properties          Chairman of the Board
                               1157 South Crocker Street   1978 - present
                               Los Angeles, CA  90021
 
                               Real estate

Berry Holmes                   Private investor since 1985
(Director)

</TABLE>
       To the knowledge of the Company, all of the foregoing persons are
citizens of the United States, except Uri P. Harkham, who is a citizen of
Australia.

                                      2-3
<PAGE>
 
          The Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents should be
sent or delivered by each Interest Holder to the Depositary at one of the
addresses set forth below:

                        The Depositary for the Offer is:

                       The First National Bank of Boston

          By Mail                  By Hand             By Overnight Courier
The First National Bank of    BancBoston Trust      The First National Bank of
           Boston            Company of New York              Boston
   Shareholder Services          55 Broadway            Corporate Agency &
       P.O. Box 1872              3rd Floor               Reorganization
    Mail Stop 45-01-19       New York, NY  10006        150 Royall Street
     Boston, MA  02105                                  Mail Stop 45-01-19
                                                        Canton, MA  02021

          Any questions about the Offer to Purchase may be directed to the
Soliciting Agent at its telephone number set forth below:

                     The Soliciting Agent for the Offer is:

                                The Weil Company
                                 (800) 478-2605

          Any requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to
Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Company at its
address and telephone number set forth below:

                              Public Storage, Inc.
                      600 North Brand Boulevard, Suite 300
                        Glendale, California  91203-1241
                                 (800) 421-2856
                                 (818) 244-8080

<PAGE>
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

     To Purchase Limited Partnership Interests of Balcor/Colonial Storage 
                               Income Fund - 86,
                        an Illinois limited partnership
             Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated April 15, 1996
                            of Public Storage, Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       DESCRIPTION OF INTERESTS TENDERED


Name and Address of Registered Holder               Number of Interests Tendered
- -------------------------------------               ----------------------------

                                                                               *
                                                            -----------------


                                           * Unless otherwise indicated, it will
                                             be assumed that all Interests held
                                             by the registered holder are being
                                             tendered.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THIS OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MAY 14, 1996, UNLESS
EXTENDED.  INTERESTS TENDERED PURSUANT TO THIS OFFER MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY
TIME PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THIS OFFER.

This Letter of Transmittal is to be executed and returned to The First National
Bank of Boston (the "Depositary") at one of the following addresses:

          By Mail               By Hand        By Overnight     For Information
The First National Bank of     BancBoston        Courier           The First
          Boston                 Trust           The First        National Bank
  Shareholder Services         Company of     National Bank of         of
     P.O. Box 1872              New York           Boston            Boston
   Mail Stop 45-01-19         55 Broadway    Corporate Agency &    Shareholder
   Boston, MA  02105           3rd Floor       Reorganization       Services
                             New York, NY    150 Royall Street    (617) 575-3120
                                 10006       Mail Stop 45-01-19
                                             Canton, MA  02021
 

Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above will not
constitute a valid delivery.  The accompanying instructions should be read
carefully before this Letter of Transmittal is completed.

              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

          The undersigned hereby tenders to Public Storage, Inc., a California
corporation (the "Company"), the above-described limited partnership interests
(the "Interests") of Balcor/Colonial Storage Income Fund - 86, an Illinois
limited partnership (the "Partnership"), for $240 per Interest in cash in
accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Company's Offer
to Purchase dated April 15, 1996 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and in this Letter
of Transmittal (which together with the Offer to Purchase and any supplements or
amendments constitutes the "Offer").  The undersigned hereby acknowledges
receipt of the Offer to Purchase.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
have the respective meanings assigned in the Offer to Purchase.

          Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of the
Interests tendered hereby in accordance with the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns, transfers,
conveys and delivers to the Company, all right, title and interest in and to
such Interests tendered hereby and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer
and any and all non-cash distributions, other Interests or other securities
issued or issuable in respect thereof on or after April 15, 1996 including,
without limitation, all rights in and claims to any Partnership profits and
losses, voting rights, rights to be substituted as a Limited Partner of the
Partnership and other benefits of any nature whatsoever distributable or
allocable to each such tendered Interest under the Partnership Agreement.  The
undersigned hereby appoints the Depositary the true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Interests and (and any
and all non-cash distributions, other Interests or securities issued or issuable
in respect thereof on or after April 15, 1996), with full power of substitution
(such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an
interest), to (a) transfer ownership of such Interests (and any such non-cash
distributions, other Interests or securities), to or upon the order of the
Company, (b) present such Interests (and any such non-cash distributions, other
Interests or securities) for transfer on the books of the Partnership and 
(c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial 
<PAGE>
 
ownership of such Interests (and any such non-cash distributions, other
Interests or securities), all in accordance with the terms of the Offer.

          The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned
(i) has received and reviewed the Offer to Purchase and (ii) has full power and
authority to sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver the Interests tendered
hereby (and any and all non-cash distributions, other Interests or securities
issued or issuable in respect thereof on or after April 15, 1996) and that when
the same are accepted for payment by the Company, the Company will acquire good,
marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens,
restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and the same will not be subject to any
adverse claim.  The undersigned, upon request, will execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed by the Depositary or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of
the Interests tendered hereby and any and all non-cash distributions, other
Interests or other securities issued or issuable in respect of such Interests on
or after April 15, 1996.  In addition, the undersigned shall promptly remit and
transfer to the Depositary for the account of the Company any and all non-cash
distributions, other Interests or other securities issued to the undersigned on
or after April 15, 1996 in respect of the Interests tendered hereby, accompanied
by appropriate documentation of transfer, and pending such remittance or
appropriate assurance thereof, the Company shall be entitled to all rights and
privileges as owner of any such non-cash distributions, other Interests or other
securities and may withhold the entire consideration or deduct from the
consideration the amount of value thereof as determined by the Company, in its
sole discretion.

          The undersigned understands that under certain circumstances set forth
in the Offer, and subject to the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Company may not be required to accept for payment any of the
tendered Interests.  In such event, the undersigned understands that any Letter
of Transmittal for Interests not accepted for payment will be destroyed by the
Company.

          The undersigned understands that, if proration is required pursuant to
the terms of the Offer, the Company will accept for payment from among those
Interests validly tendered prior to or on the Expiration Date and not properly
withdrawn, the maximum number of Interests permitted pursuant to the Offer on a
pro rata basis, with adjustments to avoid purchases of prorated fractional
Interests.

          The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the
Company and any designee of the Company as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and proxy of the undersigned with respect to such Interests with full power of
substitution, to vote, in such manner as each such attorney and proxy or his
substitute shall, in his sole discretion, deem proper, and otherwise act
(including pursuant to written consent ) with respect to all of the Interests
tendered hereby which have been accepted for payment by the Company prior to the
time of such vote or action (and any and all non-cash distributions, other
Interests or securities issued or issuable in respect thereof on or after April
15, 1996), which the undersigned is entitled to vote, at any meeting (whether
annual or special and whether or not an adjourned meeting) of Limited Partners
of the Partnership, or with respect to which the undersigned is empowered to act
in connection with action by written consent in lieu of any such meeting or
otherwise.  This proxy and power of attorney is coupled with an interest in the
Interests tendered hereby, is irrevocable and is granted in consideration of,
and is effective upon, the acceptance for payment of such Interests by the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Offer.  Such acceptance for payment
shall revoke any other proxy granted by the undersigned at any time with respect
to such Interests (and any such non-cash distributions, other Interests or
securities), other than the irrevocable proxy granted to the General Partners
pursuant to Article XXI of the Partnership Agreement, and no subsequent proxies
will be given (and if given will be deemed not to be effective) with respect
thereto by the undersigned.

          The undersigned understands that tenders of Interests pursuant to the
procedures described in the Offer and in the instructions hereto will constitute
a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer.  All authority herein conferred or
agreed to be conferred shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned
hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, legal and
personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.  This
tender is irrevocable except as stated in the Offer, however, Interests tendered
pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

          The undersigned hereby certifies, under penalties of perjury, that 
(1) the number shown on this form below the undersigned's signature is my
correct Taxpayer Identification Number and (2) I am not subject to backup
withholding either (a) because I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a
failure to report all interest or dividends, (b) the IRS has notified me that I
am no longer subject to backup withholding, or (c) I am exempt from backup
withholding.

          The undersigned hereby also certifies, under penalties of perjury,
that the undersigned, if an individual, is not a nonresident alien for purposes
of U.S. income taxation, and if not an individual, is not a foreign corporation,
foreign partnership, foreign trust, or foreign estate (as those terms are
defined in the Code and Income Tax Regulations).  The undersigned understands
that this certification may be disclosed to the IRS by the Company and that any
false statements contained herein could be punished by fine, imprisonment, or
both.

          ANY INTEREST HOLDER WHO DESIRES TO TENDER HIS OR HER INTERESTS BUT IS
UNABLE TO CERTIFY ANY OF THE STATEMENTS SET FORTH ABOVE SHOULD CONTACT THE
COMPANY AT (800) 421-2856 OR (818) 244-8080 FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
          Please issue the payment for the Interests in the name(s) of the
undersigned.  Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Mailing
Instructions," please mail the payment (and accompanying documents, as
appropriate) to the undersigned at the registered address.  In the event that
the "Special Mailing Instructions" are completed, please deliver the payment to
the registered holder(s) at the address so indicated.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         TENDER OF INTERESTS IN OFFER
 
 
The undersigned tenders Interests in the Offer on the terms described above.
 
SIGN HERE
 
Signature(s)    ________________________________________________________________
                 
                ________________________________________________________________

Social Security or Taxpayer Identification Number_______________________________

Date                                    (    )
     ----------------                   -------------------------------
                                                Telephone number
 
(Must be signed by registered holder(s) as name(s) appear(s) under registration
above.  If signature is by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, 
attorneys-in-fact, agents, officers or corporations or others acting in a 
fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information.
See Instruction 3.)
 
Name         ___________________________________________________________________
 
             ___________________________________________________________________
             (Please print)

Capacity (full title) __________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________
                                                            Zip Code

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                         SPECIAL MAILING INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if payment is to be issued to the registered holders(s) but
mailed to OTHER than the address of record.  (See Instruction 5.)
 
Mail payment to:
 
Name       _____________________________________________________________________
                 (Must be same as registered holder(s))
 
Address    _____________________________________________________________________
                 (Please print)
 
           _____________________________________________________________________
                                                          Zip Code
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
             Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer


     1.  Delivery of Letter of Transmittal.  A properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal and any other documents required by this Letter
of Transmittal must be received by the Depositary at its address set forth
herein on or prior to May 14, 1996, unless extended.

     The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and all other required
documents is at the option and risk of the tendering Interest Holder, and the
delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Depositary.  If
delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly
insured, is recommended.  In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to
assure timely delivery.

     No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted.  All
tendering Interest Holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, waive
any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Interests for
payment.

     2.  Partial Tenders.  If fewer than all the Interests held by an Interest
Holder are to be tendered, fill in the number of Interests which are to be
tendered in the section entitled "Number of Interests Tendered."  All Interests
held by an Interest Holder will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise
indicated.

     3.  Signatures on Letter of Transmittal.

         (a) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s)
of the Interests, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the Interest
Holder's registration.

         (b) If any of the Interests are owned of record by two or more joint
owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

         (c) If any Interests are registered in different names, it will be
necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal
as there are different registrations.

         (d) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a trustee, executor,
administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other
person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so
indicate when signing, and if requested, proper evidence satisfactory to the
Company of such person's authority so to act must be submitted.

     4.  Transfer Taxes.  Except as set forth in this Instruction 4, the Company
will pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and
sale of Interests to it pursuant to the Offer.  If payment of the Offer Price is
to be made to any person other than the registered holder, the amount of any
transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or such other person)
payable on account of the transfer to such person will be deducted from the
Offer Price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is submitted.

     5.  Special Mailing Instructions.  If payment for the Interests is to be
issued to the registered holder(s) but mailed to other than the address of
record, the section entitled "Special Mailing Instructions" must be completed.

     6.  Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.   Requests for assistance
may be directed to, or additional copies of the Offer to Purchase and this
Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from, the Company or the Soliciting Agent
at their respective telephone numbers set forth below.

     7.  Irregularities.  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt) and acceptance of any tender of Interests will be
determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, and its determination shall
be final and binding.  The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any or
all tenders of any particular Interests (i) determined by it not to be in the
appropriate form or (ii) the acceptance for purchase of Interests which may, in
the opinion of the Company's counsel, be unlawful.

     IMPORTANT.  This Letter of Transmittal, together with all other required
documents, must be received by the Depositary on or prior to May 14, 1996,
unless extended.


      THE DEPOSITARY:        THE SOLICITING AGENT:         THE COMPANY:
 
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF     THE WEIL COMPANY         PUBLIC STORAGE, INC.
          BOSTON                (800) 478-2605      Investor Services Department
   Shareholder Services                                    (800) 421-2856
       P.O. Box 1872                                       (818) 244-8080
    Mail Stop 45-01-19
Boston, Massachusetts 02105
      (617) 575-3120

                                      -4-

<PAGE>
 
[LETTERHEAD OF PUBLIC STORAGE, INC. APPEARS HERE]

Enclosed is an Offer to Purchase for cash Limited Partnership interests in
Balcor/Colonial Storage Income Fund - 86 by Public Storage, Inc. dated April 15,
1996.  If you are a beneficial owner of interests in Balcor/Colonial Storage
Income Fund - 86 and would like to participate in the Offer to Purchase, please
contact the registered holder of the interests.



April 15, 1996


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