STACK Infrastructure is making another major move in the Chicago data center market with the launch of a new development in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The project adds a two-story, 263,000-square-foot data center on an 18-acre site—offering construction professionals a clear picture of what’s ahead in one of North America’s most competitive and capacity-constrained regions.
Transforming Industrial Space for Digital Growth
The new facility, known as CHI02, will be located about one mile from STACK’s existing CHI01 campus. While the specific address hasn’t been released, visuals on STACK’s website indicate the facility will be built in the area bordered by Busse Road, Landmeier Road, and E. Higgins Road—near land purchased by EdgeConneX.
Data Center Dynamics reports that this project will convert previously vacant or underutilized industrial land into a high-performance site built to support artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and large-scale cloud infrastructure. For commercial contractors, this represents a growing trend in adaptive reuse, turning old industrial zones into high-value technology assets.
Core Design and Construction Elements
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Facility Size – 263,000 sq. ft. across two floors on an 18-acre site
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Power Infrastructure – 36MW of critical capacity powered by a nearby ComEd substation
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Cooling Technology – Closed-loop water cooling system capable of supporting air and liquid cooling for high-density IT equipment
These features require collaboration from specialty trades: electrical contractors experienced in power redundancy, mechanical teams skilled in high-efficiency cooling, and HVAC crews familiar with closed-loop systems. As AI and HPC demands continue to grow, so does the demand for tradespeople skilled in these technically advanced systems.
Key Partners and Construction Support
Development is being supported by Riverbend Industries, an affiliate of a STACK project partner. Their involvement helps streamline engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) coordination, improving schedule predictability and quality control. For the trades, that can mean more consistent timelines and fewer delays.
Community Support and Labor Opportunities
Local leaders are backing the project. Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson praised the development, calling it a valuable investment in the local economy and a smart reuse of industrial real estate. He highlighted the project’s role in bringing job opportunities to one of the community’s most important business corridors.
While the project will create numerous jobs during construction, it’s also expected to support long-term roles in facility operations, maintenance, and system management. These can offer tradespeople the chance to transition into permanent technical roles in data center infrastructure.
Construction Timeline Still Unconfirmed
As of now, no official timeline for construction kickoff or completion has been shared. However, the project’s detailed design scope and infrastructure planning suggest it’s progressing through early stages of development. This signals that trade opportunities could open up in the near term.
National Growth, Local Impact
STACK’s development in Elk Grove Village is part of a broader expansion strategy. The company is scaling capacity across several major U.S. markets:
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500MW campus in South Dallas
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144MW campus in Loudoun County
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56MW development in Toronto
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250MW site in Central Phoenix
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200MW campus in Portland
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48MW build-to-suit project in the Dallas/Fort Worth area
Elk Grove Village is uniquely positioned to support projects like CHI02 thanks to:
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Affordable electricity
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Attractive state and local tax incentives
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Access to major transport hubs like O’Hare International Airport
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Central U.S. location with low-latency connections to both coasts
Building Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Today
For commercial construction crews, STACK’s CHI02 facility offers an opportunity to be part of a technically advanced, mission-critical build. These types of projects highlight the shift toward more energy-efficient, AI-ready infrastructure—and the growing need for skilled trades to bring them to life.
This is more than just another data center. It’s a forward-looking development that will help define the future of digital infrastructure while creating tangible job opportunities for today’s construction workforce.
