From Shopping Carts to Servers: Why Old Retail Stores Are the Future of Data Centers
The landscape of modern commerce is littered with the ghosts of retail past—vast, empty big-box stores and deserted shopping malls. At the same time, our digital world is expanding at an explosive rate, creating an insatiable demand for data processing and storage. A fascinating and powerful trend is emerging at the intersection of these two realities: the transformation of defunct retail spaces into cutting-edge data centers.
This isn’t just a novel real estate gimmick; it’s a strategic solution to a growing infrastructure challenge. As cloud computing, streaming services, and the Internet of Things (IoT) become more integrated into our daily lives, the need for data centers to be closer to end-users has become critical. Repurposing former retail giants offers a surprisingly effective path forward.
The Perfect Synergy: Why Retail Locations are Ideal for Data Infrastructure
At first glance, a former department store might seem like an odd choice for housing racks of high-powered servers. However, these buildings possess a unique set of characteristics that make them prime candidates for data center conversion.
- Strategic Proximity to People: Retail centers were built to be close to population hubs. This is a massive advantage for edge computing, an approach that involves processing data closer to its source to reduce lag and improve speed. By placing data centers in these suburban locations, companies can deliver faster, more reliable services for everything from online gaming to remote work applications.
- Robust Power and Connectivity: Large retail stores and malls were designed to handle significant electrical loads to power lighting, HVAC systems, and escalators. This means they often have access to substantial power infrastructure from local utilities, a primary requirement for any data center. Furthermore, these locations are frequently situated along major fiber optic cable routes, simplifying the process of establishing high-speed network connections.
- Built-for-Purpose Structures: These buildings typically feature large, open floor plans, high ceilings, and thick, load-bearing concrete slab foundations. This existing framework is ideal for accommodating rows of heavy server racks and the complex cooling systems they require. Features like loading docks and large parking lots also streamline logistics for installing and maintaining equipment.
The Conversion Challenge: It’s More Than Just Moving in Racks
While the benefits are compelling, converting a retail space into a data center is not a simple plug-and-play operation. It requires significant investment and careful engineering to overcome several key hurdles.
First, floor loading capacity is a major consideration. Server racks are incredibly dense and heavy. The concrete slab of a typical retail store may need to be heavily reinforced to support the weight of a fully-equipped data hall.
Second, security is paramount. A building designed with glass storefronts to attract shoppers is the opposite of the secure, anonymous fortress a data center needs to be. A successful conversion requires a complete security overhaul, including:
- Reinforcing the building envelope to eliminate vulnerabilities.
- Installing comprehensive surveillance systems.
- Implementing multi-layered access controls, such as biometrics and mantraps.
Finally, zoning and community approval can be complex. A data center is an industrial facility, and its cooling systems can generate constant noise. Gaining approval to operate such a facility in an area zoned for commercial or retail use requires navigating local regulations and addressing potential community concerns.
Actionable Security Tips for Evaluating a Repurposed Facility
If your business is considering using a data center housed in a repurposed retail space, it’s crucial to perform thorough due diligence.
- Scrutinize the Physical Security Plan: Ask for detailed documentation on the security upgrades. Go beyond the basics and inquire about perimeter defenses, entry protocols, and staff training. A visually appealing exterior should not compromise the facility’s physical integrity.
- Verify Power and Cooling Redundancy: A former retail building’s power feed is a good start, but a mission-critical data center requires redundant power sources (N+1 or 2N), including backup generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Confirm that the cooling systems are equally resilient and can handle the facility’s maximum heat load.
- Assess the Location for Environmental Risks: While the location is good for data proximity, evaluate its vulnerability to natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, or seismic activity. Ensure the retrofitting process accounted for and mitigated these environmental risks.
The trend of turning retail shells into digital hubs is a smart, sustainable, and strategic response to the evolving demands of our digital economy. It breathes new life into forgotten buildings, strengthens our digital infrastructure, and brings data processing power exactly where it’s needed most: closer to home.
Source: https://www.datacenters.com/news/from-retail-to-racks-how-malls-and-big-box-stores-are-becoming-data-center-real-estate
