Power Construction Company will begin construction on the newly approved first purpose-built AI facility in Downtown Chicago. The Gensler-designed data center will focus on high-performance computing. The facility is expected to open in December 2026.
HydraVault Unveils 20MW, High-Density AI Data Center
HydraVault project will bring cutting-edge infrastructure to Chicago, one of the most connected markets in the world. According to PRNewswire, the center will be built for large-scale model training, ultra-low latency financial trading, and high-performance computing, according to PRNewswire.
Built to Tier 3 standards, the facility will support up to 200kW per rack and host high-performance Vera Rubin AI servers, designed for large-scale model training. With 20MW of total power, HydraVault’s downtown Chicago data center will be able to add a large block of new, AI-ready space that is currently unavailable in the area.
“We’re now ready to begin construction work on this AI factory built for the future,” said Scott D. Greenberg, Founder of HydraVault.
“Our remarkable downtown Chicago location is adjacent to a dense and diverse fiber network that enables the lowest possible latency to 350 Cermak combined with superior, energy efficient design. The data center’s features are a strategic differentiator to firms in AI, machine learning, and financial services in the Chicago area,” added Greenberg.
Data Center Targets World-Class Energy Efficiency
The HydraVault facility is designed to be one of the most energy-efficient data centers in the world, made possible by its closed-loop, waterless cooling system. It offers both high performance and strong sustainability benefits with an estimated annual Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.19, according to PRNewswire.
These efficiencies are driven by HydraVault’s partnerships with leading firms in design, engineering, and construction. Partners include Syska Hennessy Group and CardiffPoint, among others.
“This approach to engineering results in more AI power in every square foot, yet it also cuts energy use and emissions,” said Matthew Kaleta, PE, Associate Partner at Syska Hennessy, which was crucial in developing the core performance and sustainability features.
“It’s how we help HydraVault position Chicago’s innovators to train bigger models through a faster, and greener, process than ever before,” he added. Design firm Gensler led the vision for integrating the facility into Chicago’s dense downtown landscape, while local general contractor Power Construction is managing the build.
The HydraVault data center will strengthen Chicago’s position as a hub for artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
