Charlotte, North Carolina, October 22, 2025
News Summary
Digital Realty has acquired the historic Court Arcade building in Charlotte for $9.5 million, planning to replace it with a new four-story data center. The 12 MW facility will respond to the growing demand for data connectivity in the area. This acquisition aligns with Digital Realty’s broader strategy to expand its infrastructure amid increasing local economic demands. The company also revealed additional acquisitions of nearby parcels for further development.
Charlotte, North Carolina – Digital Realty has acquired the historic Court Arcade building for $9.5 million from Shamrock Management Corp. The two-story office structure, built in the 1920s and located at 725 E. Trade St., will be demolished to make way for a new four-story, 12 megawatt (MW) data center development adjacent to Digital Realty’s existing facility. This expansion is part of Digital Realty’s response to increasing demand for connectivity and colocation data center capacity driven by the local economy.
The announcement came as part of the company’s Q1 2025 results, which also revealed that Digital Realty acquired two parcels adjacent to its current Charlotte facility for approximately $16 million. The new data center plans are being developed by Digital Realty affiliate Digital Trade Street 2, although no specific timelines for the construction have been shared yet.
The Court Arcade building spans 18,575 square feet (approximately 1,726 sqm) and has previously served as office space for attorneys visiting the nearby Mecklenburg County Courthouse. The building houses several law firms and was the headquarters of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party. Shamrock Management has owned the property since March 1997 when it was purchased for just over $1 million.
Digital Realty operates a single data center site in Charlotte, known as the CLT10 facility, which combines three buildings located at 731 E. Trade St., 113 North Myers St., and 125 North Myers St. The existing facility offers 29,200 square feet (approximately 2,713 sqm) of colocation space and 2MW of capacity. Digital Realty acquired the CLT10 facility in 2005 for around $17.3 million.
The company also has ambitious plans for a new data center campus in Charlotte, which will include a 400MW, 3 million square foot (approximately 278,709 sqm) project located on 156 acres at 12899 Moore’s Chapel Road. The newly planned 12 MW data center is anticipated to have an electrical usage equivalent to about 10,000 U.S. homes annually.
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., Digital Realty operates multiple data facilities across North Carolina, including another facility located at 1310 S. Mint St. and one in Raleigh. The company’s broader portfolio spans over 300 data centers in more than 25 countries, underscoring its significant presence in the global data center market. The recent acquisition of two First Ward properties in March for $16 million allows Digital Realty to enhance its IT capacity for cloud, enterprise, and colocation customers.
Key Highlights
- Digital Realty acquired the Court Arcade building for $9.5 million.
- The new data center will be four stories and provide 12 MW of capacity.
- The Court Arcade building will be demolished as part of this development.
- Digital Realty has existing facilities providing a total of 29,200 square feet of colocation space in Charlotte.
- The company’s plans include a larger data center campus on Moore’s Chapel Road.
Conclusion
Digital Realty’s expansion plans reflect the growing need for data connectivity in Charlotte, driven by digital transformation and economic trends. The company’s strategic acquisitions and developments are poised to enhance its infrastructure and provide robust services to cloud and enterprise customers in the region.
FAQ
- What building has Digital Realty acquired?
- Digital Realty has acquired the Court Arcade building, a two-story office building built in the 1920s, located at 725 E. Trade St., Charlotte, North Carolina.
- How much did the acquisition of the Court Arcade building cost?
- The acquisition cost $9.5 million from Shamrock Management Corp.
- What is Digital Realty planning to do with the Court Arcade building?
- The company plans to demolish the Court Arcade building to make way for a new four-story, 12 megawatt (MW) data center development adjacent to its existing facility.
- Has Digital Realty made any other acquisitions in Charlotte recently?
- Yes, Digital Realty also acquired two parcels adjacent to the existing Charlotte facility for approximately $16 million.
- What is the capacity of the existing CLT10 facility in Charlotte?
- The existing CLT10 facility offers 29,200 square feet (approximately 2,713 sqm) of colocation space and 2MW of capacity.
Key Features of Digital Realty Expansion
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Acquisition Cost | $9.5 million |
| Old Building Size | 18,575 square feet (Approximately 1,726 sqm) |
| New Data Center Capacity | 12 megawatts (MW) |
| Existing Facility Capacity | 2 megawatts (MW) |
| Future Campus Size | 3 million square feet (Approximately 278,709 sqm) |
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