The demand for data centers in Chicago continues to grow. The market has one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country at 3%. Luckily, there's 17.5 MW of construction in the pipeline, according to CBRE’s Q2 national data center market update. Today we look at three data centers under construction that will help fill the increased demand.

1. Ascent CH3

Location: 717-727 S Desplaines

Size: 526k SF

Developer: Ascent Corp

Builder: Sterling Bay

Cost: Ascent doesn't reveal numbers.

Delivery: Ascent is reaching out to tenants to build-to-suit.

Ascent has a fast-track data center option for prospective tenants with up to 60k SF of space and 12.5 MW of power, and an expanded data center program with up to 250k SF of space and 50 MW of power.

2. 111 E Cermak

Location: 111 E Cermak

Cost: $350M

Size: 350k SF

Developer: JRM Technology

Builder: McHugh Construction

Delivery: 2017

Groundbreaking is expected on this 350k SF facility later this year. McHugh wanted to build a data center here for years, but had to wait while the city finalized its McCormick Place hotel and renovation plan. The data center will have 40 MW of power coming from three different feeders.

3. QTS Chicago

Location: 2800 S Ashland

Cost: $200M

Size: 317k SF

Developer: QTS Realty Trust

Builder: Mortenson Construction

Delivery: 2016

QTS bought this building, which used to be the Chicago Sun-Times printing facilities, last year for $18M. It plans to expand the building to 400k SF with a raised floor capacity of  215k SF and up to 30 MW of power.

Honorable Mention: Forsythe Data Center

Location: 1440 Touhy Ave, Elk Grove Village

Cost: $130M

Size: 220k SF

Developer: Forsythe Data Center

Builder: Turner Construction

Delivery: Delivered in May, but has availability.

Forsythe's first co-location facility has 30 MW running into it. Forsythe built 56 suites ranging from 300 SF to 4k SF with up to 1.2 MW cabinets, semi-dedicated cooling and security in each.

See Also: The Real Cost of Ignoring Cybersecurity