60 Hudson Street

Gazing up at 60 Hudson Street, can you feel the hum of data flowing through its veins? This isn’t just another skyscraper. 60 Hudson Street is a digital heart, pumping data across the globe. This Art Deco giant, built between 1928 and 1930, stands as a testament to the ever-evolving world of communication. It started as New York City’s telegraph depot, the Western Union Building. It housed the city’s Departments of Buildings and Corrections. Now, it’s a critical interconnection hub for the internet, a vital organ in our digital age. 60 Hudson Street isn’t just a building; it’s where a significant portion of global internet traffic flows. For almost a quarter of a century, it has witnessed the internet’s birth, growth, and transformation. The building itself is a marvel, a 24-story Art Deco tower designed by Ralph Thomas Walker. Its brick facade shifts through nineteen hues, from dark at the base to light at the top, a subtle nod to the building’s ascending role in communication. Inside, Digital Realty’s New York JFK12 data center resides. It’s one of the world’s most critical colocation and interconnection facilities. Imagine the sheer volume of data pulsing through this building. It handles approximately 70% of internet traffic in greater New York City, especially overseas traffic. Inside, the original Meet Me Room on the 9th floor buzzes with activity. Technicians meticulously connect carriers and customers, ensuring the seamless flow of data. As technology evolves, 60 Hudson Street adapts. The industry is migrating from copper to fiber optics, and this building is at the forefront of that change. Interestingly, carrier customers often use DC power, while enterprise customers prefer AC power. This building even has its own DC plant to support this need. Cooling such a massive amount of equipment in a dense urban environment is a challenge. 60 Hudson Street utilizes overhead cooling, a testament to the building’s adaptability and the ever-evolving nature of technology. The building also houses backup generators on the 24th floor and a UPS on the third, ensuring continuous operation even during power outages. 60 Hudson Street isn’t just a building; it’s a living, breathing testament to the power of connection. It has witnessed the evolution of communication from telegraphs to the global internet. So, as you stand before 60 Hudson Street, remember that you’re standing at a pivotal point in the history of communication, a place where the world connects.