CHICAGO, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The second phase of engineering to support the electrical systems for a 315,000 square-foot data center facility on Chicago's Near South Side has begun, developer JRM Technology LLC announced.

The design and construction team is now working with Commonwealth Edison to finalize engineering for the data center's significant power needs, moving the project forward, said James R. McHugh, JRM Technology's principal.

"Abundant, redundant power sourcing represents a key requirement for data centers, and we're working closely with ComEd and our engineers to make sure we not only meet but exceed clients' energy needs," Mr. McHugh said.

The facility, to be located at 111 E. Cermak Road, will be the first structure in downtown Chicago designed and built specifically as a data center, Mr. McHugh said. To meet data storage energy demands, 111 E. Cermak will be powered by a potential of 40 megawatts of electricity, said Mr. McHugh, and two separate ComEd substations will service 111 E. Cermak.

James McHugh Construction Co. is the design-build contractor, with ESD Inc., as lead architect/engineer, Archideas as the consulting architect and CS Associates Inc. as structural engineer.

The building will be located at the southeast corner of Cermak Road and Indiana Avenue, two blocks from 350 East Cermak, the 1.1 million square foot data center site in the former RR Donnelly printing plant.  The new center's location helps ensure a large amount of fiber providers with high-volume and low-latency fiber optic lines, Mr. McHugh said.

With 350 East Cermak around 95 percent leased, firms that need very fast fiber optic transmission speeds are seeking data center space close by.  JRM Technology is actively negotiating with tenants for the new site, Mr. McHugh added.

JRM Technology plans to seek Gold level LEED Certification. Sustainable features planned for the building include a green roof and fresh air cooling, with many other green aspects to be finalized during the design phase. Tenant-friendly features will include redundant power sourcing and stringent security.

The six-story building will include 140,000 square feet of raised floor area. Preliminary plans call for a reinforced concrete structure with 18-foot ceiling heights, heavy floor loading, space for full generator backups, and heavy-duty, high-efficiency cooling systems.

Chicago-based JRM Technology is dedicated to developing data storage center facilities throughout the Chicago area. Additional information is available at 111cermak.com or 312-321-0302.

SOURCE JRM Technology LLC

Back to top