Digital Realty has announced the opening of FRA18, Germany’s first data center housed within a historically preserved building. The facility, located in the landmark former Neckermann headquarters, is the third data center within Digital Realty’s Digital Park Fechenheim campus and represents a unique fusion of innovation, sustainability, and architectural heritage.
FRA18 offers 8,200 square meters of colocation space and a total IT capacity of 16 megawatts (MW), designed to support high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. The facility launches with an initial capacity of 6.4MW in phase one, with an additional 9.6MW expected to come online in later phases.
Optimized for AI and HPC applications, FRA18 is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including advanced liquid cooling technology that maximizes efficiency and performance. Moreover, with the integration of ServiceFabric, Digital Realty enhances FRA18’s robust data security and connectivity capabilities, giving customers seamless access to SCION (Scalability, Control, and Isolation On Next-Generation Networks) – a next-generation secure internet protocol essential for industries like finance and pharmaceuticals.
“Our vision for Digital Park Fechenheim is innovation at every level,” said Volker Ludwig, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DACH, at Digital Realty. “We are committed to preserving the historic significance of the site while delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that empower our customers and enhance data security.”
The repurposing of the Egon Eiermann-designed building underscores Digital Realty’s commitment to sustainability and architectural preservation. The iconic building, complete with its signature staircases, balconies, and rainwater management system, remains intact, while former distribution floors have been transformed into high-performance data halls.
Sustainability is a key pillar of the Digital Park Fechenheim development. In collaboration with environmental authorities, Digital Realty is implementing a comprehensive renaturation strategy, creating extensive green spaces and restoring 10,000 square meters of land to enhance biodiversity and groundwater regeneration. Additionally, the site will incorporate an innovative heat reuse system, repurposing residual heat from the facility.
“This milestone reinforces our commitment to responsible development and sustainable innovation,” added Ludwig. “By working closely with the City of Frankfurt and the State of Hesse, we have developed a concept that fully aligns with heritage preservation requirements while emphasizing Digital’s commitment to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.”
