Developers Propose 17M SF Of New Georgia Data Centers

Trammell Crow Co. is the latest developer to signal ambitions for a data center megaproject in the Peach State.

The CBRE-owned development giant filed an application to build an 8.1M SF data center campus at White Oak Technology Park near Augusta. It is the second proposal in as many weeks to add a project of that size to the state's skyrocketing supply of digital infrastructure, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Another developer, represented by civil engineering firm Kimley-Horn, declared its intent to build a $19B, 8.7M SF data center campus in Bartow County, roughly an hour northwest of Downtown Atlanta.

That project, dubbed Project Bunkhouse, would be the largest data center development in the state, according to the AJC. Both have expected construction timelines that would stretch a decade or more.

Combined they add nearly 17M SF to the state's digital infrastructure pipeline, which is already the fastest-growing of any market in the country.

Atlanta had 2,159 megawatts under construction at the end of last year, and users of data centers leased a net of 705.8 MW, surpassing Northern Virginia in absorption for the first time, according to CBRE. Its inventory more than tripled between 2023 and 2024.

Trammell Crow's planned data center project spans more than 1,900 acres in the Columbia County-owned White Oak Technology Park. County Commissioner Alison Couch posted her support for the project on Facebook last week.

“I have been researching Technology Parks for months, to include on-site visits to multiple data centers in the state,” she wrote. “Based on my observations, I have concluded this use of land offers extremely low overall impact to the surrounding area, while generating tremendous tax revenues in return. I believe this to be the best possible type of development on this property, that we could hope for.”

The project is expected to cater to cybersecurity firms, digital infrastructure, research and development and advanced technology, according to its Development of Regional Impact application with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Industrial, distribution and residential uses won't be permitted, which will minimize traffic and infrastructure impacts, Couch wrote.

There is growing concern that the rapid development of data centers could strain the state's power grid, and state legislators have tried to pass laws forcing the owners of the properties to pay more for the energy they consume.

Project Bunkhouse, which would be built on a nearly 900-acre site adjacent to a coal power plant in Bartow County, could consume 1,830 MW at full build-out — more than the amount that powers the city of Atlanta, the AJC reported.

Both projects are being planned on land controlled by their respective county development authorities and are expected to strike deals for potentially millions in tax breaks, according to the AJC.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Atlanta Newsletters
Related Stories

Loudoun County Moves To Pause Data Center Applications For 12 Months

Furniture Outlet The Dump Is Getting Dumped In Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta Improvement Group Picks Food Bank Chief As Next Leader

California Emerging As Data Center Fallback Market Amid Nationwide Opposition

Data Center IPO Wave Reveals A Variety Of New Strategies In Booming Sector

Thor Equities Plans $1B Data Center In North Georgia: The Atlanta Deal Sheet

Former CBRE Exec Suing Brokerage Giant Over Age Discrimination, Whistleblower Complaint

Solar Projects In Georgia Meet Local Backlash As Data Centers Drive Demand For Power

Healey's New Data Center Rules Make Massachusetts A Tough Sell For Developers

The Number Of Large-Scale Data Centers In U.S. Projected To Triple By 2030

'We Aren't Competitive': Power, Taxes Keep Colorado On The Data Center Sidelines

Blue Owl Reportedly Planning Data Center REIT