Penzance, an investment and real estate development firm based on the East Coast of the U.S., has broken ground on a next-generation data center in Northern Virginia, one of the world’s largest digital corridors. The project, located at 4151 Autopark Circle (Fairfax County), will feature 45 megawatts of capacity and 240,000 square feet of space (≈22,300 m²), and will be operated by Amazon Web Services (AWS) under a fully executed lease agreement. The facility aims to enter operation in the first half of 2027 with a clear promise: hyperscale energy efficiency and a comprehensive package of community and environmental benefits.
The installation has been designed to meet the demands of AI, cloud, and edge computing, with a focus on resilience and scalability. Technically, Penzance has advanced the use of outdoor air systems and rooftop HVAC units to maximize efficiency, as well as generators housed in soundproof enclosures that limit vibrations and noise. The goal is to achieve ≈40 dBA during full operation, a level comparable to a quiet office environment or a small outdoor community.
AWS emphasizes that the campus will use outside air for cooling 95% of the year, minimizing water consumption—a sensitive issue in the industry. To cover rare instances of network failure, the site will be equipped with next-generation diesel generators capable of reducing up to 90% of particulates and harmful emissions compared to conventional equipment, ensuring continuity of critical services—from hospitals and emergency services to schools and government agencies—that rely on cloud workloads.
Sustainability with a local footprint: 67 acres for the community
The project includes an unusual element: 67 acres (≈27.1 hectares) of public green spaces that Penzance and AWS have agreed to preserve and enhance with the county. The package features walking trails, reforestation and restoration of Resource Protection Areas (RPAs), invasive species control, and bird-friendly design. There are also plans for EV charging stations and an redesigned facade towards the public roadway.
In terms of water management, the campus will adopt Low-Impact Development (LID) techniques to mitigate 85% of impacts on the RPAs, using oil-water separators and containment measures designed to prevent potential diesel spills from reaching the stormwater system. The overall objective is to meet the criteria for LEED-Data Center Silver certification, a voluntary standard for buildings demonstrating strict energy and water efficiency.
Job creation and revenue: economic impact on Fairfax County
The construction phase will generate over 1,000 construction jobs and bring in millions of dollars in tax revenues for Fairfax County, according to estimates shared by the developer. Long-term, the center will support up to 50 skilled operational jobs in a state—Virginia—where the data center industry supports approximately 74,000 direct and indirect jobs.
From an institutional perspective, Jeffrey C. McKay, Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, viewed the project as a commitment to long-term competitiveness and quality of life: the combination of digital infrastructure and more than 60 acres of public green spaces encapsulates, in his view, the idea of responsible and sustainable growth that the county aims to promote. Similarly, Kathy Smith, Vice Chair of the Board and supervisor of the Sully District, framed the investment as a lever for key technologies in the coming decade, from AI to quantum computing and national security innovation.
A design prepared for “what’s coming”
“This is a high-impact facility, future-ready, designed for what’s next in AI, cloud, and edge,”
summarized John Kusturiss, partner at Penzance. The company explains that rooftop equipment will reduce ground footprint and simplify maintenance; encapsulated generators will minimize noise and vibrations; and the modular approach will allow for quick power scaling to meet new demands.
AWS, for its part, emphasizes that it will mainly raise the bar on sustainability, safety, and community engagement. Besides the predominant use of outdoor air and low water consumption, the company highlights that it will impose strict limits on backup generator operation and that the campus has been designed to operate silently and with low impact on the immediate environment.
An experienced ecosystem of vendors
For the development, Penzance has selected Penney Design Group as architect, Kimley-Horn for civil engineering, and Whiting-Turner as general contractor. The developer places the project within a history of over 25 years managing assets in housing, industrial, and digital infrastructure, and indicates this move strengthens its expansion in
Why Northern Virginia continues to lead
The announcement confirms the role of Northern Virginia as the number one hub for global connectivity. Its low-latency connectivity, presence of hyperscalers, planned mid-term electrical capacity, and a mature vendor network continue to attract investments that, like this one, blend demanding technical requirements with environmental and social commitments.
In summary, Penzance and AWS’s project in Chantilly illustrates where the new generation of data centers is heading: more power for AI and cloud, less water, more outdoor air cooling, contained noise, verifiable environmental mitigation, and tangible community returns. If the schedule holds, by 2027 Fairfax will have a strategic asset that combines digital capacity and green space in one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the data center to have 45 MW of capacity?
The 45-megawatt capacity indicates the maximum electrical power available to support servers, networking, and cooling. In an environment of AI and intensive workloads, having power margins is essential to scale without redesigning infrastructure.
How does the data center cool using outside air 95% of the year?
The design employs free cooling: when outdoor temperature and humidity permit, ambient air is used to remove heat, reducing water and energy use. Only in extreme conditions are mechanical systems engaged.
What does achieving ≈40 dBA operational noise level entail for a data center?
A level of ≈40 dBA is comparable to a quiet office environment. It’s achieved through encapsulated equipment, acoustic barriers, and a design that limits vibrations, thereby reducing impact on neighbors and wildlife.
What is LEED-Data Center Silver certification and why is it important?
LEED is a voluntary certification evaluating energy efficiency, water usage, materials, and site management. The Silver level indicates the building exceeds typical sustainability standards for data centers in the sector.
Sources:
Penzance and AWS press release (Business Wire) regarding the start of construction of the Chantilly data center; statements by John Kusturiss (Penzance), Josh Weissman (AWS), Jeffrey C. McKay, and Kathy Smith (Fairfax County).