Digital Realty Launching New Downtown Data Center

This old printing plant at 350 E. Cermak Rd. in Chicago now plays a key role for the Internet, and will soon have a companion building.

CHICAGO—Digital Realty is set to launch a new data center adjacent to its mammoth Lakeside Technology Center, a 1.1 million square foot data center at 350 E. Cermak Rd. This location will make the new project a key component in the nation’s tech infrastructure, but before breaking ground, the company wants to test the waters.

“It’s ready to start construction today,” Todd Bateman, North American agency practice leader for CBRE Group Inc.’s data center solutions group, tells GlobeSt.com. CBRE has started pre-leasing for the center, which will provide up to 660,000 square feet and 54 megawatts of utility load. “But technology moves rapidly; major users especially can quickly evolve, and before we build a building of this size and importance, we want to make sure it is harmonized with their needs.”