Vantage Data Centers, a global leader in hyperscale data solutions, has announced the grand opening of its second London data centre, LHR2, located in the bustling district of Park Royal. Set to open by the end of September, this state-of-the-art facility covers 194,000 square feet and will provide a significant boost to the local economy with a £250 million investment.
This opening coincides with the renowned London Design Festival, celebrated from September 13-21, marking the occasion in a unique manner. The data centre boasts one of Europe's largest permanent public art installations. Titled 11 Million Dots, this ambitious project not only commemorates Park Royal's industrial heritage but also celebrates its vibrant evolution.
In collaboration with the Park Royal Design District and London-based art consultancy Loom, local artist Rafael El Baz created this intricate installation. El Baz transformed ambient sounds, machinery hums, and 120 interviews with locals into binary codes and audio waveforms, resulting in the visually stunning six-story facade. The art mimics the complexity of microchips and urban landscapes, symbolising a harmonious blend of past and present.
Reflecting Vantage's commitment to sustainability, the LHR2 campus has met the rigorous standards of BREEAM Excellent, incorporating features like air and water source heat pumps. The facility proudly adheres to the Urban Greening Factor and has plans to integrate with the local district heating network to utilise waste heat, ensuring a low power usage effectiveness (PUE).
David Howson, President for EMEA at Vantage Data Centers, expressed great enthusiasm for the project. "Our unrivalled ability to scale rapidly, as evidenced by the launch of our second campus in London, is helping our global hyperscale customers seize the massive opportunities made possible with cloud computing and AI"
Rafael El Baz, reflecting on the fusion of art and architecture, remarked that the project redefined conventional perceptions of data centres. The goal was to transform these typically inconspicuous structures into immersive cultural landmarks that document the local community's essence.
The LHR2 site joins another Vantage location in London, LHR1 in North Acton, which features two facilities covering 430,000 square feet. Vantage is also expanding its reach in Cardiff with the CWL1 campus, one of Europe's largest. Once fully operational, these three UK campuses will collectively deliver 223MW of IT capacity, spanning over 2.6 million square feet.
