Chicago-based Environmental Systems Design, Inc. (ESD) has been awarded a contract to design Server Farm Realty's 440,000-sq-ft. data center/electronic trading facility in Chicago’s south loop. The new facility will combine an electronic trading environment offering 30 watts per sq ft. with over 130,000 sq ft. of data center space designed at 150 watts per square foot. Previously owned by Northern Trust, the property was upgraded to support data center space prior to the Server Farm acquisition. The facility will be supported by over 32MW of power ultimately and be backed up by over twenty 2,500kW generators. It is complemented by a floor load of 225 lbs. per sq ft.
“The electronic trading industry is perhaps the hottest market in Chicago, complemented by pent-up demand within the data center market,” notes Paul Schlattman, VP of ESD Mission Critical Facilities. “This unique site near downtown Chicago provides the best of both worlds, and it offers the reliability that is so critical to data center owners along with the low latency that is essential for the electronic trading community.”
“The timing of this project is perfect, especially when considering that there is no space available in Chicago for new data center customers," states Avner Papouchado, president of Server Farm Realty. "In addition, we are designing space that far exceeds our competition in regards to efficiency and quality.”
The new data center/electronic trading facility will be ready for initial occupancy in September.