DataBank Chicago (ORD4) — Colocation Data Center

Facility Overview

DataBank Chicago (ORD4) is a colocation data center facility operated by DataBank, Ltd., strategically positioned in Oak Brook, Illinois. Located at 1808 Swift Dr, this facility serves the greater Chicago metropolitan area, one of the most significant data center markets in the United States. The facility provides organizations with enterprise-grade colocation services in a market known for its robust connectivity infrastructure and central geographic location.

Location and Connectivity Advantages

The Oak Brook location offers significant advantages for businesses requiring reliable data center services in the Chicago market. Oak Brook sits in the western suburbs of Chicago, providing access to the city's extensive fiber infrastructure while offering potential benefits such as lower real estate costs and reduced congestion compared to downtown locations. The facility's positioning allows organizations to tap into Chicago's role as a major telecommunications hub connecting the East and West coasts of the United States.

Chicago's data center market is known for its extensive network of fiber providers and carriers, making it an attractive location for businesses requiring diverse connectivity options. While specific carrier information for this facility is not detailed, the Chicago market typically offers access to major telecommunications providers, internet service providers, and network carriers that support enterprise connectivity requirements.

Service Offerings and Target Market

As a DataBank facility, ORD4 likely provides a comprehensive suite of colocation services designed to meet varying customer requirements. DataBank typically serves enterprise customers, managed service providers, and organizations requiring reliable, scalable data center solutions. The facility would be expected to offer standard colocation services including cabinet and cage space, power distribution, cooling systems, and basic support services.

The Chicago market attracts diverse industries including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology companies, all of which require robust data center infrastructure to support their operations. Organizations in these sectors often require facilities that can support compliance requirements, high availability standards, and scalable infrastructure solutions.

Infrastructure and Reliability

While specific technical specifications are not available for this facility, DataBank's portfolio typically emphasizes reliability, security, and scalability. Modern colocation facilities in the Chicago market generally feature redundant power systems, advanced cooling infrastructure, and comprehensive physical security measures to ensure optimal uptime and protection of customer equipment and data.

The facility likely incorporates standard data center design principles including redundant power feeds, backup generator systems, and environmental controls designed to maintain optimal operating conditions for sensitive IT equipment. These infrastructure elements are essential for supporting mission-critical applications and services that require consistent availability.

Chicago Data Center Market

Oak Brook represents part of the broader Chicago data center market, which ranks among the top colocation markets in North America. The Chicago metropolitan area benefits from its central geographic location in the United States, making it an ideal hub for organizations requiring low-latency access to both East and West Coast markets. This positioning has historically made Chicago attractive for financial services, trading platforms, and content delivery networks.

Regional Advantages

The Chicago area offers several advantages for data center operations, including relatively stable weather patterns compared to regions prone to hurricanes or severe seismic activity. The region benefits from access to reliable electrical grid infrastructure and multiple power generation sources. Additionally, Illinois provides a business-friendly environment with established telecommunications infrastructure that has developed over decades.

Oak Brook specifically offers advantages as a suburban location within the Chicago market, potentially providing access to the region's connectivity ecosystem while offering benefits such as more available land for facility expansion and potentially lower operational costs compared to urban core locations.

Competitive Landscape

The Chicago data center market features numerous established providers operating facilities throughout the metropolitan area. Major national and regional colocation providers maintain significant presence in the market, creating a competitive environment that typically benefits customers through service innovation and competitive pricing. The market includes both large-scale wholesale facilities and retail colocation providers serving various customer segments.

Market Demand Drivers

Chicago's data center market benefits from demand generated by the region's diverse economic base, including financial services, healthcare systems, manufacturing companies, and technology firms. The area's role as a transportation and logistics hub also drives demand for data center services supporting supply chain and e-commerce operations. Educational institutions and government entities in the region additionally contribute to steady demand for reliable data center infrastructure and services.