Major Construction Begins on Chicago's First Purpose-Built Data Center
Published: October 28, 2025, 11:59 AM EDT
Construction has kicked off on downtown Chicago's first purpose-built AI data center, a dedicated facility optimized for high-performance computing and large-scale model training. The project adds much-needed, AI-ready capacity right in the urban core.
Project Snapshot
- Developer/Operator: HydraVault
- General Contractor: Power Construction Company
- Architect: Gensler
- Facility Type: High-performance computing and AI training center
- Tier: Built to Tier III standards (Uptime Institute)
- Total Electrical Capacity: 20 MW
- Rack Density: Up to 200 kW per rack
- Target Opening: December 2026
What's Being Built
The Gensler-designed facility is planned for high-density AI clusters, ultra-low-latency financial trading workloads, and HPC jobs, according to PRNewswire. HydraVault notes support for high-performance Vera Rubin AI servers, with layouts focused on training large models and compute-intensive tasks.
Location and Connectivity Advantage
The site sits in the heart of downtown, adjacent to a dense, diverse fiber ecosystem with direct routes to major interconnection hubs. Proximity to 350 East Cermak enables very low latency-an edge for AI training pipelines and financial services.
"We're now ready to begin construction work on this AI facility built for the future," said Scott D. Greenberg, Founder of HydraVault. "Our remarkable downtown Chicago location is adjacent to a dense and diverse fiber network that enables the lowest possible latency to 350 Cermak combined with efficient design. The data center's features are a strategic differentiator to firms in AI, machine learning, and financial services in the Chicago area."
Energy Strategy and Cooling
The design targets world-class efficiency with a closed-loop, waterless cooling approach and an estimated annual PUE of 1.19, according to PRNewswire. That combination aims to deliver high compute density with lower energy consumption and reduced onsite water use.
Syska Hennessy Group and CardiffPoint are part of the engineering team behind the performance and sustainability profile. As Syska's Matthew Kaleta noted, the approach is about squeezing more AI capacity per square foot while cutting energy use and emissions-faster, and greener, model training for Chicago clients.
Design and Delivery Team
Gensler leads the architectural vision, with Power Construction Company mobilizing for major construction. Engineering partners include Syska Hennessy Group and CardiffPoint, aligning structural, electrical, and mechanical packages to support high-density racks and strict Tier III reliability.
What Developers, GCs, and Trades Should Plan For
- Utility and Substation Coordination: 20 MW in a tight downtown footprint requires early and ongoing utility engagement, clear sequencing for feeders, and mitigation plans for urban constraints.
- High-Density Floor Loads: 200 kW/rack drives structural design, equipment anchorage, and precise placement of busways, PDUs, and containment.
- Thermal Management: Closed-loop, waterless systems reduce water risk; at these densities, projects typically rely on direct-to-chip or rear-door heat exchange. Expect close coordination across electrical and mechanical scopes to maintain setpoints under full load.
- Redundancy and Maintainability: Tier III-level topology demands clear isolation, concurrent maintainability, and well-documented change control for critical paths.
- Fiber Laterals and Path Diversity: Downtown routing, carrier-neutral meet-me design, and diverse entry points are core to latency goals.
- Commissioning and Testing: Plan for multi-phase commissioning, integrated systems testing, and performance validation to hit the 1.19 PUE target under realistic load profiles.
- Safety and Logistics: Urban construction staging, off-hour heavy deliveries, and close coordination with city agencies will be essential to keep the schedule intact.
Why This Matters for Chicago CRE
HydraVault's project brings a sizable block of new, AI-ready space to the CBD-inventory that's been hard to find. The location and density specs are built for model training, HPC, and latency-sensitive financial workloads, reinforcing Chicago's status as a top connectivity market.
Timeline and Next Steps
With approvals in hand, Power Construction Company is moving into major construction. Base building, MEP plant, and white space fit-out will roll into commissioning through 2026. HydraVault is targeting a December 2026 opening.
Key Takeaways
- Purpose-built, high-density AI data center in downtown Chicago with 20 MW capacity
- Up to 200 kW per rack; Tier III design; PUE target of 1.19
- Closed-loop, waterless cooling; strong fiber adjacency and low-latency routes to 350 E. Cermak
- Team includes Power Construction Company, Gensler, Syska Hennessy Group, and CardiffPoint
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