JRM Cites Progress on Chicago Project

mchugh-chicago

A design concept for a six-story, 300,000 square foot data center in Chicago proposed by McHugh Construction.

JRM Technology says it has begun the second phase of engineering to support the electrical systems for its planned data center facility in Chicago. The developer's design and construction team is now working with Commonwealth Edison to finalize engineering for the data center's significant power needs, said James McHugh, a principal in JRM Technology.

"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," said McHugh.

The project, known as 111 E. Cermak,  will be a six-story, 315,000 square foot  ground-up data center adjacent to the McCormick Place convention center and 350 East Cermak Road, the enormous carrier hotel operated by Digital Realty Trust.

Proximity to Fiber Hub
Living in the shadow of 350 E. Cermak has its benefits and challenges. Access to the dozens of network providers housed in the Digital Realty building could be a key benefit for nearby buildings - once 350 E. Cermak is filled up. For now, Digital is still marketing several chunks of wholesale space within the huge building. Once those are leased up, it may be easier for projects like 111 E. Cermak to locate an anchor tenant.

Demand in the region is strong, according to Grubb & Ellis, which recently reported that more than 9 megawatts of data center space was absorbed in Suburban Chicago during the first four months of 2010. Demand is driven largely by financial firms’ appetite for additional capacity for fast-growing electronic trading operations.

Trading Drives Downtown Market
"Demand from trading firms continue to dominate the downtown colocation market," wrote Grubb & Ellis. "Chicago has more than twice the trading volume of New York and nearly as much trading volume as all of the European stock exchanges combined."

JRM says its plans to seek Gold level certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program for energy efficient buildings. Architectural design drawings include louvers along the side of the building to support fresh air cooling, along with a “green roof” with vegetation covering about 10,000 square feet.

The six-story building will include 143,000 square feet of raised floor area. Preliminary plans call for a reinforced concrete structure, with 18-foot ceiling heights, heavy floor loading and space for full generator backups.