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Data center campus · 2800 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago (McKinley Park), Cook County, Illinois

QTS Chicago campus (2800 S. Ashland)

Operating as of July 15, 2026

QTS's data center in the former Sun-Times printing plant beside the South Branch of the Chicago River, where a roughly 446,000-square-foot second building won city approval in 2024 but stalled when its permit was voided in 2026. Also known as: QTS Chicago CHI1, former Chicago Sun-Times printing plant.

Cite← Illinois data centers
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Power125MW reported · stated
Floor area467,000sq ft
Site26acres

Who is behind it

ProjectQTS Chicago campus (2800 S. Ashland)Also: QTS Chicago CHI1, former Chicago Sun-Times printing plant
Developer and teamQTS Data Centers
End userNot found in the recordsNot yet named in any record or credited report we have found.

The record, newest first

  1. The Chicago Department of Buildings voided the construction permit for the new building after more than 120 days of inactivity, according to reporting credited to Block Club Chicago; because the permit was voided rather than denied, QTS could reapply. (Hoodline, July 15, 2026)

  2. Urbanize Chicago reported that the City Council had approved the expansion, clearing the way for permitting. (Urbanize Chicago, Dec. 17, 2024)

  3. The Chicago Plan Commission approved the expansion, described as a $300 million project. (Data Center Dynamics, Dec. 2, 2024; Urbanize Chicago, Nov. 29, 2024)

  4. QTS presented a three-story expansion of about 465,000 gross square feet at a 12th Ward community meeting; it required an amendment to Planned Development 553. (McKinley Park News, Sept. 9, 2024; Data Center Dynamics, Aug. 19, 2024)

  5. Illinois DCEO approved QTS's Chicago site for the Data Center Investment Program with a $250 million commitment. (Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, 2026)

Conflicts and open questions

  • Site area reported as 26 acres (Data Center Dynamics) and 30 acres (McKinley Park News).
  • Coordinates approximate, from the 2800 S. Ashland Ave. address.
  • Expansion size reported as 465,000 gross sq ft (2024 meeting) and about 446,000 sq ft (366,000 data hall plus 80,000 office/loading) at approval.

The full record

Status note
The existing building operates; the City Council approved a second building in December 2024, but the city voided its construction permit in 2026 after more than 120 days without activity, pausing the expansion.
Power note
Total campus capacity per QTS as reported by Data Center Dynamics: 42 MW today, expandable to 125 MW. Not stated whether IT or utility capacity.
Evidence
Primary public records
Size class
50 MW or more (tracker scope)
Map position approximate, from the reported address or area. Updated Oct. 17, 2026.