Penzance has announced the groundbreaking of a 45-megawatt, 240,000-square-foot data center in Chantilly, Virginia. Purpose-built for hyperscale deployments, this facility features high-efficiency air-cooled systems, rooftop HVAC units, and acoustically enclosed generators engineered to minimize noise and vibration. Located at 4151 Autopark Circle, the data center is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2027. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has signed a lease to operate and staff the facility.
The data center incorporates several technical enhancements, including:
- High-efficiency air-cooling and rooftop HVAC systems designed for resiliency and scalability.
- Acoustically enclosed diesel generators engineered to reduce particulate matter and noxious emissions by 90 percent, reporting operational sound levels around 40 dBA at full load—comparable to small town outdoor ambience or an open-plan office.
- Low-impact development stormwater strategies, including oil-water separators, to reduce Resource Protection Area (RPA) impacts by 85 percent and prevent diesel spills from contaminating stormwater systems.
- Targeting LEED-Data Center Silver certification to meet strict energy and water efficiency criteria.
- Minimal water use, with cooling achieved via outside air for approximately 95 percent of the year, as reported by AWS.
The facility’s site plan includes 67 acres of public green space, including preserved tree canopy, RPA restoration, invasive plant remediation, public walking trails, EV car charging stations, and bird-friendly building features. Enhanced public-facing architecture and low operational noise aim to improve compatibility with the surrounding area.
“We’re continually innovating to ensure our data centers fit responsibly into the communities we call home,” said Josh Weissman, AWS Director of Data Center Delivery. “As part of this project, we’re proud to partner with Penzance and Fairfax County to preserve and enhance 67 acres of open green space, create public walking trails, and design a campus that operates quietly, efficiently, and with low environmental impact. This site, like our other facilities, will use minimal water and rely only on outside air for cooling 95% of the year. Our backup generators ensure continuity for the hospitals, first responders, schools, and other essential services that rely on AWS to stay online while meeting strict requirements for their use during the rare times the grid is interrupted.”
Penzance has selected Penney Design Group as project architect, Kimley-Horn as civil engineer, and Whiting-Turner as general contractor for the build. The data center is positioned to serve hyperscale cloud, artificial intelligence, and edge computing applications, with additional benefits projected for local community infrastructure and essential services continuity during grid events.
Source: Penzance
