Once the printing presses roared. Now, a digital heartbeat thrums within the Lakeside Technology Center. This building stands as a testament to Chicago’s transformation. It shifted from an industrial powerhouse to a digital hub.
Lakeside Technology Center at 350 East Cermak Road wasn’t always a data center. It began its life in 1912 as the R.R. Donnelley Printing Plant. The company printed the Yellow Book and Sears Catalog. Imagine the sheer scale of that operation. The building had to be strong. It was built to support heavy printing equipment.
That robust construction is why it is perfect for its current role. In 1999, the building was retrofitted. It became a carrier hotel. Today, it’s one of the most important data centers in the Midwest. Digital Realty owns and operates this massive facility. It boasts over 1.1 million square feet of space. Over 100 MW of utility power fuels its operations.
Lakeside Technology Center is the most interconnected multi-tenant data center in the Midwest. Over 70 network providers call it home. It’s close to many network, cloud, and content ecosystems. This location is minutes from Chicago’s financial district. Major transportation hubs are nearby. O’Hare and Midway International Airports are easily accessible.
The building’s original design lends itself well to its modern purpose. Fourteen-foot ceilings and strong floors can handle heavy equipment. The building has 21 vertical shafts. These once moved reams of newsprint. Now, they house fiber and power cabling.
The Lakeside Technology Center has impressive infrastructure. It includes four fiber vaults and three electric power feeds. These provide over 100 megawatts of power. It is the second-largest power customer for Commonwealth Edison. Only O’Hare Airport uses more. Over 50 generators support grid power. They are fueled by multiple 30000-gallon tanks of diesel.
Its cooling system is one of the most distinctive features. An 8.5-million-gallon tank of refrigerated liquid keeps things cool. This tank provides thermal energy storage. It supports the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. This includes McCormick Place and the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Trigen facility chills the liquid. It pumps it to nearby buildings. They use it in heat exchanger systems. This supports their on-site cooling.
The Lakeside Technology Center seamlessly blends old and new. It retains its architectural vision. T.E. Donnelley wanted the facility to bridge art and commerce. The Memorial Library stands as a reminder of this vision. It has a cathedral ceiling and bookshelves. It was featured in the film “Stranger Than Fiction”.
So, as you stand here, consider the Lakeside Technology Center. It is more than just a building. It’s a vital part of the digital economy. It links Chicago to the world. It secures our data. It embodies the city’s spirit of innovation.