Penzance Breaks Ground on 45-Megawatt Next-Generation Data Center in Northern Virginia

New Facility to Deliver Advanced Infrastructure and Bring 67 Acres of Public Green Space to Fairfax County

Penzance, a leading Mid-Atlantic real estate investment and development firm, today broke ground on a next-generation data center in Chantilly, Virginia, showcasing Northern Virginia’s status as the world’s premier data corridor. Designed for hyperscale demand and maximum energy efficiency, the project marks Penzance’s newest digital infrastructure investment to date—and sets a new standard for sustainability and scope in hyperscale development.

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Penzance leadership and local officials break ground on a 45-megawatt next-generation data center in Chantilly, Virginia (Photo Credit: Chris Ferenzi)

The 45-megawatt, 240,000-square-foot facility will utilize high-efficiency air-cooled systems, rooftop HVAC units, and acoustically enclosed generators to limit operational noise and vibration. Located at 4151 Autopark Circle, the project is designed for resilience and scalability, with construction expected to be completed in the first half of 2027. Penzance has executed a lease with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which will operate and staff the data center.

“This is a high-impact, future-ready facility—and it’s built for what comes next in AI, cloud, and edge computing,” said John Kusturiss, Partner at Penzance. “Chantilly offers unmatched connectivity, and this site is designed to deliver for today’s infrastructure needs while anticipating tomorrow’s technologies.”

Penzance and AWS are committed to sustainable construction practices and environmental performance standards that exceed typical data center benchmarks, including:

• 67 acres of open green space for public use, including community walking trails, tree preservation, Resource Protection Area (RPA) restoration, and invasive plant remediation.
• Enhanced architecture along the public right-of-way
• EV car charging stations
• Bird-friendly building design
• Sound levels of approximately 40 dBA during full operations, or a "quiet" level consistent with small town outdoor environments or open office indoor settings
• Specialized diesel generators to reduce particulate matter and noxious emissions by 90%, while ensuring continuity for the hospitals, first responders, schools, and other essential services that rely on AWS to stay online during the rare times the grid is interrupted.
• Low-impact development (LID) stormwater techniques that reduce RPA (Resource Protection Area) impacts by 85% as well as oil-water separators, and prevent potential diesel spills from entering stormwater systems.
• LEED-Data Center Silver certification, a voluntary rating system for green buildings operating within strict energy and water efficiency criteria.

Josh Weissman, AWS Director of Data Center Delivery, noted, “We’re continually innovating to ensure our data centers fit responsibly into the communities we call home. As part of this project, we’re proud to partner with Penzance and Fairfax County to preserve and enhance 67 acres of open green space, create public walking trails, and design a campus that operates quietly, efficiently, and with low environmental impact. This site, like our other facilities, will use minimal water and rely only on outside air for cooling 95% of the year. Our backup generators ensure continuity for the hospitals, first responders, schools, and other essential services that rely on AWS to stay online while meeting strict requirements for their use during the rare times the grid is interrupted. We’ll keep raising the bar on sustainability, safety, and community partnership so these investments in U.S. innovation also strengthen the local economy and the quality of life our neighbors expect.”

“This project represents the kind of future-forward infrastructure investment that keeps Fairfax County at the forefront of a rapidly changing global economy. We are proud to lead the future of digital infrastructure innovation, and even prouder to do it in partnership with local developers like Penzance,” said Jeffrey C. McKay, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “As AI, quantum, and advanced computing accelerate, the regions that modernize their digital backbone will shape the future. Northern Virginia helped build the digital infrastructure that powered the internet and cloud revolutions, and today, we are laying the foundation for the next era of innovation,” McKay continued. “This progress must also strengthen the community around it. The addition of more than 60 acres of public green space reflects our commitment to sustainable, responsible growth that enhances quality of life for our residents. This is what it means to invest in both long-term economic competitiveness and the core values that define Fairfax County.”

This project is expected to generate a significant economic impact, bringing more than 1,000 construction jobs, with millions of dollars in projected tax revenue for Fairfax County. Long term, the facility will sustain up to 50 well-paid operations roles, adding to the estimated 74,000 jobs supported by the data center industry in Virginia.

“Next-generation digital infrastructure is now fundamental to economic opportunity, and this project positions Fairfax County for the technologies that will define the next decade, from AI to quantum to national security innovation,” said Kathy Smith, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and Sully District Supervisor. “This is a forward-looking investment that strengthens our position in the global technology ecosystem while delivering meaningful community benefits.”

Penzance has engaged Penney Design Group as architect, Kimley-Horn as civil engineer, and Whiting-Turner as general contractor for the project. Renderings of the project are available here.

This new data center builds on Penzance’s more than 25-year track record of high-performing assets across multifamily, industrial, and digital infrastructure—and signals the firm’s continuing expansion into mission-critical real estate.

ABOUT PENZANCE

Penzance is a fully integrated real estate owner, operator, developer, and fund manager. Founded in 1996, the firm has built a track record of successful investing in multifamily industrial, data center, and other commercial properties across the Mid-Atlantic, creating a reputation for attention to detail and focused, active asset management. Penzance professionals combine entrepreneurial and institutional real estate experience with in-depth local market knowledge. Its core competencies include acquisitions, development, asset management, leasing, property and construction management, capital markets and finance, fund management, and investor reporting. Over its history, Penzance has managed over $4.5 billion of gross asset value and, today, manages over $1.1 billion of discretionary capital on behalf of high-quality institutional investors through its series of flagship funds. For additional information, visit www.pzre.com.

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