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Chicago Data Center Project Moves Ahead

<img src="/sites/datacenterknowledge.com/files/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/mchugh-chicago.jpg" width="470" height="280" /> Developer JRM Technology is moving ahead with a 315,000 square foot 111 E. Cermak data center project in Chicago after securing city approvals for design and construction.

A design concept for a six-story, 300,000 square foot data center in Chicago being developed by JRM Technology.

Developer JRM Technology is moving ahead with a 315,000 square foot data center  in Chicago after securing city approvals for design and construction, the company said Tuesday.

The project, known as 111 E. Cermak,  will be a six-story ground-up data center adjacent to the McCormick Place convention center and 350 East Cermak Road, the enormous carrier hotel operated by Digital Realty Trust.

"This will be the first data center in the downtown area designed and built specifically as a data center from the ground up," said James McHugh, principal of JRMTechnology LLC. "Every aspect of the building will be tailored to clients' needs, from robust redundant power sourcing to cooling systems and security."

Construction is scheduled to begin this fall, with completion planned for late 2011. 111 E. Cermak will be powered by up to 40 megawatts of electricity, with planned service from two separate ComEd substations.

McHugh said the new data center's proximity to 350 East. Cermak will help ensure access to a large amount of fiber providers with high-volume and low-latency fiber optic lines.  JRM Technology says it is actively negotiating with tenants for the new site.

New Supply in a Tight Market
The supply of data center space in downtown Chicago is running low at a time when demand remains strong, driven largely by financial firms’ appetite for additional capacity for fast-growing electronic trading operations.

JRM says its plans to seek Gold level certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program for energy efficient buildings. Architectural design drawings include louvers along the side of the building to support fresh air cooling, along with a “green roof” with vegetation covering about 10,000 square feet.

The six-story building will include 143,000 square feet of raised floor area. Preliminary plans call for a reinforced concrete structure, with 18-foot ceiling heights, heavy floor loading and space for full generator backups.

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