CyrusOne Eyes Aurora for Third Data Center Expansion in Illinois

CyrusOne, a leading data center provider, is in talks with officials in Aurora, Illinois, to pursue the development of its third data center in the city. The Dallas-based company is planning to construct a state-of-the-art 428K SF data center on a 30-acre plot of land situated along Interstate 88. The proposed location, as reported by the Chicago Tribune, is conveniently located across the highway from CyrusOne's existing campus in Aurora and in close proximity to a 60-acre data center park being developed by Edged Energy.

Having established its presence in Aurora back in 2016 with the acquisition of a 428K SF facility, CyrusOne expanded its operations by adding a 440K SF data center to the site the following year. These facilities have been instrumental in handling data for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as well as various international exchanges. However, due to their limited capacity, the need for expansion has become imperative, according to Aurora Chief Management Officer, Alex Alexandrou.

A Paradigm Shift

Aurora officials have long been seeking to attract development on a 30-acre property, envisioning it as an ideal location for a hotel. With a clear preference against data centers, the city actively marketed the parcel as a potential site for lodging. However, despite their best efforts, the pursuit of a hotel venture proved to be futile. Forced to reassess their approach, city representatives are now embracing the idea of a data center, a prospect they had previously disregarded.

According to Alexandrou, an Aurora official, the municipality's attitude has been influenced by changing market dynamics. In the face of evolving realities, adaptability has become paramount. The demand for data centers has grown exponentially, underscoring their indispensability in contemporary society.

Aurora Seeks Financial Reimbursements for Data Center Zoning Changes

Aurora, a city that is not typically known for its data centers, is currently in negotiations with CyrusOne over a proposed data center project. As part of the deal, Aurora is seeking financial reimbursements in exchange for the necessary zoning changes required for the construction. The city is looking to recoup up to $11M that it invested in the construction of a nearby highway interchange. Additionally, Aurora hopes to recover any potential revenue loss resulting from the absence of a hotel on the site.

Although Aurora may not be a prominent data center hub, it currently has five operating campuses listed. CyrusOne's planned data center would be the second new project in the area. Notably, Edged Energy and Seefried Properties are jointly developing a three-building campus across Biltner Road from the proposed CyrusOne site. The project is rumored to be anchored by a major tech company like Apple, Google, Microsoft, or Amazon, lending significant appeal to the area.

Chicagoland Area's Unprecedented Growth

The Chicagoland area has emerged as a flourishing hub for data centers, solidifying its position as one of the largest markets in the nation. Surging ahead in the northwest suburbs near O'Hare International Airport, a remarkable wave of development is transforming the landscape. NTT Global Data Centers, a major player in the industry, recently made waves with its acquisition of two office buildings situated near the airport. With ambitious plans in mind, these structures are set to be demolished to make way for cutting-edge data centers.