DuPont Fabros Technology cut the ribbon on ACC7 last week in Ashburn. (Do data centers use obsolete printer ribbons?) It’s one of the largest multi-tenant data centers in North America, with 446k gross square feet and 41.6 MW of critical power. It’s the sixth data center on DFT’s 1.6M square foot Ashburn campus and the largest in the company’s portfolio. Once fully built, the project will run about $300M. While the company has data centers in other markets, it chose Loudoun for this latest project for its diversity and volume of networks and fiber in the ground, easier access to carrier locations, and available, reasonably-priced land, says the firm's operations EVP Scott Davis. The company also has data centers in Prince William County, Chicago, New Jersey, and California.

Scott, right, at a Bisnow event with ByteGrid CEO Ken Parent, says this one is a little different from its portfolio because it’s a medium voltage building versus a low voltage, which will save money on electrical feeders. It’s also more efficient, with cooling systems that use less electricity. Scott says the building will be built in phases; eight out of 28 rooms are ready for tenants. At least 25% of the space is leased to two commercial customers, and there’s interest in a few more rooms. Scott says the space is also available to federal agencies.