Updated details have been revealed for an upcoming data center at 1951 W Hastings Street in the Illinois Medical District. Located on the intersection with S Damen Avenue just north of the massive Union Pacific railyard, the new facility joins a similar proposal in McCormick Place that was also recently announced as Chicago continues to draw in similar projects. The new center is being developed by Chicago-based Metro Edge with architecture firm Corgan at the helm of its design.
Rendering of IMD1 by Corgan
Rendering of IMD1 by Corgan
After some delays since it was first announced over a year ago, the center has found its home on a vacant plot of land near the IMD, Chicago FBI offices, and upcoming Chicago Fire FC facilities. Rising five-stories tall, most of the structure will be clad in a metal panel exterior with linear windows accented broken up by illuminated panels that can be programmed for different colors. This will be joined by a small plaza, mural-ready generator yard, 4,000 square-feet of office space, and plenty of back of house space on the first floor.
Ground floor plan of IMD1 by Corgan
A secure 30-vehicle parking lot will surround the rest of the building which in total will have 184,720 square-feet of space and seven layers of physical security and biometric access protecting the information inside. The facility dubbed ‘IMD1’ will offer tenants 19.8 MW of power across the four upper stories, access to fiber, and low-latency (a high-data minimal delay connection) access to multiple area institutions and the Equinix data center in McCormick Place as well.
Rendering of IMD1 by Corgan
The $257 million dollar venture is the first major center for Metro Edge as the city and nation’s data needs continue to surge, with the IMD seeing an increase in telehealth and virtual data-keeping. The developer has begun pursuing approvals with 50-percent of IMD1 being pre-leased already, hoping to start construction by the end of the year executed by Clune Construction, Power Construction, and Ujamaa Construction and work taking just under two-years due to its complexity.
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This looks like a very thoughtfully planned project. It’s an excellent use for the site- a dense use that is less impacted by any pollution from the rail yard. The provide some first floor uses to integrate with the neighborhood and artistic opportunities for community involvement. It’s a commendable project which should enhance the economic vitality of the IMD.