Indiana Mall Will Become Huge Data Center

Lifeline Data Centers has completed of the purchase of the former Eastgate Consumer Mall in Indianapolis, and will transform the 40-acre former retail mall into 450,000 square feet of data center space supported by 200,000 square feet of office space. The acquisition is a partnership between Lifeline Data Centers and Marvin Slomowitz, President of Mark Development in Kingston, Pa.

"Businesses across the nation have a new alternative for large scale data center space," said Lifeline co-owner Alex Carroll. "Lifeline Data Centers can now provide computer data center facilities, office space, and access to the major telecommunications carriers. Indianapolis offers a central geographic location, some of the lowest power rates in the nation, a favorable construction climate and the most affordable housing in the top fifty markets. Whether companies are looking for a primary data center location or a disaster recovery site, Lifeline's new Indianapolis facility is an excellent choice."

Lifeline unveiled its plans to buy and convert the mall last December. Eastgate is a 370,000 square foot shopping center built in 1957 that fell into decline around 2000 and was closed in 2004 when the owner couldn't pay back taxes. The site fell into disrepair and at one point appeared likely to be demolished.

Lifeline's first phase of the build out includes fourth quarter 2008 availability of 60,000 square feet of data center floor space inside the former mall. The remaining mall space will be refit as customized office space for data center clients, IT staff and employees. Lifeline will build free-standing tornado-resistant buildings to bring the total data center space to 450,000 square feet.

"Lifeline builds all hardened data center facilities to the Uptime Institute Hybrid Tier IV and TIA-942 specifications," said Rich Banta, co-owner of Lifeline. "There are no single points of failure for power, cooling, or data connectivity." Lifeline also plans a green campus environment by employing hydrogen-assisted diesel generators, reflective roof technologies, returning of old parking lots to green space, as well as implementing innovative HVAC technologies.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard lauded Lifeline's approach, adding that the company is "bringing high-tech jobs to the area, and building new structures that will add more tax base to the Warren Township area."

Lifeline secured financing for this expansion from M&I Bank in Indianapolis. "M&I Bank is excited to be involved in this project. Lifeline Data Centers has been a valued customer of our bank and we expect an overwhelming success," said Tim Massey, Executive Vice President of M&I Bank.

This marks the second recent project in which a data center service provider has bought a defunct shopping center. Last August Rackspace said it would invest $100 million to convert a vacant San Antonio shopping mall into its headquarters, and plans to add 4,000 new employees over the next five years. The Windsor Park Mall has 750,000 square feet of space.