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Chicago data center

Hyperscale and AI-ready colocation and data center services in the heart of the Midwest's digital infrastructure hub

Iron Mountain Chicago data center

Iron Mountain Data Centers leads the Chicago area data center market with our flagship CHI-1 facility. As a leading Chicago colocation provider, we position your business at the center of Illinois' most connected digital ecosystem. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, our 36 MW facility offers comprehensive colocation & data center services that both Chicago and global businesses, alike, trust, matched by 100% renewable energy. Featuring diverse fiber connectivity, N+1 redundancy, and scalable infrastructure, CHI-1 delivers the reliable foundation your operations demand with sustainable power sourcing.

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13-acre
Campus
36MW
IT Load Design
315,000
Square Foot Facility
12MW
Available Now

The Chicago data center market

Chicago data center market in under 90 seconds

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Why leading Cloud & AI providers choose our Chicago data center (CHI-1)

Unmatched power infrastructure

With 36MW of IT load capability, CHI-1 delivers the power density and scalability to meet your growing business demands. Our block redundant UPS technology with N+1 redundancy ensures 99.999% uptime for your critical operations.

Strategic Chicago area location

Positioned in the Chicago metropolitan area, our Illinois data center offers low-latency access to major population centers across the Midwest and is strategically located to serve the northeastern USA and Canada. As a premier Chicago colocation provider, we offer cost-effective alternatives to downtown locations while maintaining enterprise-grade connectivity.

Carrier-neutral connectivity

Access diverse network providers through our carrier-neutral ecosystem. With diverse Points of Entry (POE) and multiple Meet-Me Rooms (MMR), CHI-1 ensures redundant connectivity paths and eliminates single points of failure in your network architecture

Flexible space solutions

From neocloud to hyperscale needs, our Chicago colocation solutions accommodate deployments of multiple sizes. With 52U rack heights, an average power density of 20kW per rack (up to 30kW), and slab flooring supporting up to 5,000 lbs, Iron Mountain Chicago adapts to your requirements.

The advantages of colocation in Chicago

Why Chicago is the ideal location for your digital infrastructure

Central U.S. connectivity hub

Chicago is the third-largest data center market in the US. It serves as a critical interconnection point for transnational fiber networks, making it an ideal location for businesses requiring low-latency connections across North America. The city's position enables efficient data routing between East and West Coast markets.

Robust digital ecosystem

The Chicago area hosts 100+ network providers, mature cloud zones, advanced and improving backbones, creating a rich ecosystem for peering opportunities and direct cloud connections. This concentration reduces network costs and improves performance.

Business continuity & resilience

Chicago's geographic location provides natural disaster resilience compared to coastal markets, while its diverse power grid and robust telecommunications infrastructure ensure business continuity for critical operations.

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Chicago data center overview

Size: 56MW total facility capacity with 36MW IT load design
Space: 315,000 sq ft facility, with four planned 28,000 sq ft data halls
Power: 12MW currently available for immediate deployment
Powered by block redundant UPS technology with N+1 redundancy
Matched by 415V or 208V power distribution options
Efficiency: Optimal Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) for energy efficiency
Cooling: Average 20kW per rack power density (maximum 30kW without liquid cooling)
High density requirements with liquid cooling available upon request
52U maximum rack height capacity
Slab flooring supporting up to 5,000 lbs (rolling and static loads)

Secure facility with 24/7/365 on-site security and technical support
24/7/365 Smart Hands support
Professional installation and managed services
Equipment staging and configuration services
Migration services are available upon request

Distance to Chicago: Proximate to Chicago's central business district
Location offers a low-risk natural disaster zone
Highway Access: Easy access to major highways and transportation networks
Airport: 5.3 miles to O'Hare International Airport
Service Area: Chicago, Great Lakes and Midwest regions
Address: 1680 Touhy Ave, Des Plaines, IL, 60018

Premium network connectivity without the premium price tag

Network Infrastructure:

Carrier-Neutral MMR: Multiple carrier-neutral Meet-Me Rooms (MMR)
Internet Exchanges: Access to Chicago's major internet exchanges
Diverse Entry Points: Diverse Points of Entry (POE) for redundant fiber access
Fiber Separation: Minimum 450-foot separation between ingress points
Conduit Paths: Diverse conduit paths through buried duct bank
Fiber Infrastructure: PVC-encased fiber with metal conduit risers

Network Services:

Cloud On-Ramps: Cloud-neutral direct connect options to major cloud providers
Cross Connects: High-speed direct connections between customers and carriers
Direct Internet Access & IP Transit: Multiple Tier 1 provider options, including Lumen & Zayo, for global internet connectivity
Metro Wave: Dedicated wavelength services for high-bandwidth applications
Peering: Optimize network traffic and reduce costs through direct connections with content and service providers.
Virtual Cross Connects: Achieve flexible, on-demand connectivity through software-defined networking that can be provisioned and modified quickly via our digital platform for dynamic network requirements and multi-cloud strategies.

Comprehensive certifications meeting the most stringent regulatory and industry standards

Global Standards (ISO Certifications):

(Note: Some certifications still being acquired)

ISO 27001 (Information Security Management)
ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
ISO 22301 (Business Continuity)
ISO 50001 (Energy Management)

Regulated Industries:

NIST 800-53 controls at highest levels (Government)
FISMA HIGH compliant (Government)
FedRAMP Physical and Environmental controls aligned (Government)
Department of Defense Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification aligned (Defense)
HIPAA-compliant infrastructure available (Healthcare)
PCI DSS supporting infrastructure (Financial Services)
HITRUST certified (Healthcare & Financial)

Infrastructure & Operations:

SOC 2 Type II audit reports
SOC 3 audit reports
SSAE18 compliant
ANSI/TIA-942-B Rated 3 certified for concurrent maintainability
Uptime Institute Tier 3 aligned certification
BREEAM certified (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)

Want to learn more? Contact a data center team member today!

Join 230,000+ customers who trust Iron Mountain

For over 70 years, Iron Mountain has been the trusted guardian of business-critical assets for organizations worldwide. Today, more than 230,000 customers—including 95% of the Fortune 1000 and 100+ federal agencies—rely on our expertise to protect, connect, and activate their most valuable data. Our Chicago data center extends this legacy of trust with state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to meet the evolving needs of enterprises in the digital age.

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Customer success stories

Fender

The challenge:
^{Fender needed a home for their mission-critical financial planning and e-commerce systems. They looked to maximize redundancy while reducing data center total cost of ownership. Also, Fender needed access to numerous services providers to support their evolving hybrid IT architecture.}
The results:
^{Fender has enjoyed 100% uptime to date and flexible terms that significantly reduced data center costs. They cited Iron Mountain’s certified engineers as the added bonus, relying on Iron Mountain data center services for on-demand needs, extending capabilities and staying focused on high value activities.}
In their words:

^{^{" It's one thing to outsource your servers. It’s another to outsource the support for those servers—that’s what gives CIOs heartburn. Iron Mountain’s remote support has been spectacular. Not only do they respond quickly, but they have a team that is well-trained and professional and that gives us confidence that the job will be done right."}}
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Frequently asked questions

What makes Iron Mountain's Chicago data center unique?

CHI-1 combines 36MW of critical power capacity with strategic location advantages, offering carrier-neutral connectivity, diverse fiber paths, and enterprise-grade infrastructure. Our data center in Chicago features N+1 redundancy, optimal PUE efficiency, and flexible space solutions ranging from single racks to private suites.

What security and compliance measures are implemented at the Chicago facility?

Our Chicago data center holds comprehensive compliance certifications, including SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3, and SSAE 18. (Some certifications are still in development.) We hold ISO certifications across multiple domains: ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 22301 (Business Continuity), and ISO 50001 (Energy Management). For regulated industries, we support HIPAA, PCI DSS, and HITRUST requirements. Government and defense operations benefit from our alignment with NIST 800-53 controls at the highest levels, FISMA HIGH standards, FedRAMP Physical and Environmental controls, and Department of Defense Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. Our infrastructure is ANSI/TIA-942-B Rated 3 certified with Uptime Institute Tier 3 alignment, and we maintain BREEAM certification for environmental sustainability.

Where is your Chicago data center located?

CHI-1 is located at 1680 Touhy Ave, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, providing convenient access to O'Hare International Airport and major transportation networks while maintaining the security and cost advantages of a suburban location.

How much capacity does the Chicago facility offer?

Our Illinois data center offers 56MW of total facility capacity, with a design IT load of 36MW. We currently have 12MW available for immediate deployment, with the ability to scale as your requirements grow.

Why should I choose data centers in Chicago over other markets?

Chicago colocation providers offer unique advantages as a central U.S. connectivity hub with low-latency access to major population centers, natural disaster resilience, a diverse network ecosystem, and cost-effective alternatives to coastal markets. The Chicago data center market offers enterprise-grade infrastructure with strategic geographic positioning, providing nationwide connectivity.

What power density options are available for my equipment?

Iron Mountain Chicago (CHI-1) supports average rack densities of 20kW per rack, with maximum capacity up to 30kW. We offer both 415V and 208V power distribution options and can accommodate custom power requirements for high-density deployments.