In the heart of Chicago's South Loop, a transformative data center opportunity is taking shape. The Cermak Square Data Center at 2222 S Indiana Avenue is a proposed, purpose-built, greenfield development that positions investors at the intersection of surging digital infrastructure demand and one of America's most strategically located urban markets. Situated adjacent to McCormick Place and just two blocks from 350 East Cermak — one of the most interconnected data center facilities in the Midwest — this offering represents a rare chance to develop and acquire a Class A CBD Chicago data center through either a lease or purchase arrangement.
The development is a hardened, purpose-built structure spanning approximately 363,000 square feet across seven floors, each offering approximately 47,000 rentable square feet of flexible data center space — all available from August 2027. In addition to the data center floors, the project includes a 48,415 square foot, 113-space parking deck along with dedicated equipment, fuel, and generator storage. The building carries a Class A designation and is zoned PD (Planned Development), with an approved Planned Development already in place with the City of Chicago, enabling the property to be delivered within 15 months of contract execution.
The power infrastructure sets this project apart. The property will deliver a total of 40 megawatts of power capacity. Upon completion of construction, 16 megawatts will be immediately available, with ComEd delivering an additional 8 megawatts every six months thereafter until the full 40 MW capacity is reached. This phased delivery structure allows tenants to scale operations progressively — a highly attractive feature for hyperscale and enterprise data center users. The land alone carries an estimated value of approximately $40 million.
The developer behind the project is James McHugh Construction, a prominent Chicago builder with a track record stretching back to 1897. McHugh has established deep expertise in complex urban construction projects across Chicago and nationally, making them a trusted partner for a development of this scale and technical complexity. Construction can begin within 60 days of lease or purchase contract execution, with a total development timeline of approximately 19 months and a projected delivery date of August 2027.
The property sits within a federally designated Opportunity Zone and may additionally qualify for the 6B tax classification with Cook County — a significant incentive that can substantially reduce real estate tax obligations for qualifying industrial uses. Its location in the South Loop scores exceptionally well for urban accessibility: 90 out of 100 for walkability, 90 out of 100 for public transit access, and 80 out of 100 for bikeability, reflecting its deep connectivity within Chicago's urban fabric.
Listed at $140,000,000 ($425.53 per square foot), the Cermak Square Data Center offers a compelling entry point into one of the fastest-growing asset classes in commercial real estate — purpose-built, shovel-ready, and positioned two blocks from one of the most connected data center hubs in the Midwest.
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