DataCentersNow specializes in speculative, state-of-the-art"CyberFortresses" designed with the special requirements needed bytelecommunications and Internet-related tenants. Its currentportfolio includes about 500,000 sf in the Washington, DC market.This acquisition represents the firm's entry into the Chicagomarket. According to Chris Epstein, president of DataCentersNow,"Chicago is the only major market in the country without hostingfacilities at the airport." Therefore, the firm feels the O'Haremarket is ripe for this type of development.

DataCentersNow perceives data centers to be housed innon-descript, fortress-like secure facilities that provideredundancy of all mechanical, electrical and telecommunicationssystems. The firm is in the process of adapting the Elk Grovebuilding for data center use. When completed in May 2001, it willlease the facility to an infrastructure-based telecommunicationsfirm that processes e-commerce transactions and Internetcommunications.

Bryan Sullivan, senior associate, NAI Hiffman, represented thebuyer in the transaction. The seller is Elk Grove Village-basedGullo International Development Corp. which originally startedbuilding the facility. Giovanni Gullo is president and CEO of theindustrial development company.