Introduction
Located in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago, the building at 350 East Cermak Road has become a hub for the city’s tech industry. Originally built in 1905 as a printing plant, the building has undergone several renovations over the years to become the state-of-the-art data center it is today.
The Building’s History
The building was originally constructed by the R.R. Donnelley printing company in the early 1900s. The printing plant was a massive facility, spanning over 1 million square feet and employing over 7,000 workers at its peak. The building played a significant role in the printing industry for many years, producing everything from magazines and catalogs to phone directories.
The Tech Boom in Chicago
In the early 2000s, Chicago started to see a significant increase in the number of tech companies setting up shop in the city. This trend was fueled by several factors, including the city’s strong university system, access to talent, and relatively low cost of living when compared to other major tech hubs like San Francisco and New York.
The Data Center’s Development
In 2007, the building at 350 East Cermak Road was purchased by Digital Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust specializing in data centers. The building underwent a massive renovation to convert it into a state-of-the-art data center, with over 1.1 million square feet of server space and 100 megawatts of available power.
The Building’s Unique Features
One of the most notable features of the building is its location. It is situated just a few miles from downtown Chicago and sits on a major fiber optic network, making it an ideal location for companies that require high-speed data connections. Additionally, the building’s design includes several unique features that make it ideal for a data center, such as redundant power and cooling systems and advanced fire suppression technology.
The Building’s Tenants
Today, the building at 350 East Cermak Road is home to some of the biggest names in the tech industry. Companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Yahoo! all have data centers located within the building. Additionally, the building is home to a number of smaller tech companies and startups that are taking advantage of the city’s growing tech scene.
The Economic Impact
The development of the building at 350 East Cermak Road has had a significant impact on the local economy. The building’s tenants have created thousands of jobs in the city, and many of these jobs are high-paying positions in the tech industry. Additionally, the presence of these companies has helped to establish Chicago as a major player in the tech industry, which has brought even more investment and job opportunities to the city.
The Future of the Building
The building at 350 East Cermak Road is set to continue to play a major role in Chicago’s tech industry for years to come. Digital Realty Trust has plans to expand the building’s capacity even further, with the addition of several new data halls in the coming years. Additionally, the company is committed to making the building as energy-efficient as possible, with plans to use renewable energy sources to power the facility.
Conclusion
The building at 350 East Cermak Road has become an integral part of Chicago’s tech industry. Its unique location, state-of-the-art design, and impressive tenant list have all contributed to its success. As the city’s tech industry continues to grow, it is likely that the building will play an even more significant role in the years to come.