AWS Data Center breaks ground in Virginia

Amazon Web Services (AWS) just broke ground on a new data center in Chantilly, Virginia - marking another major infrastructure investment in one of the nation's most active data center markets. With Baltimore-based Whiting-Turner serving as general contractor and a completion target of mid-2027, this project signals significant hiring demand for specialized construction talent.

What's being built

The new AWS facility, developed by Penzance, will deliver:

• 240,000 square feet of data center space on a 12-acre site
• 45-megawatt capacity designed for AI, cloud, and edge computing
• Advanced cooling systems that rely on outside air for 95% of the year, minimizing water usage
• Rooftop HVAC units and acoustically enclosed generators to limit noise and vibration
• Sustainable design features including EV charging stations, bird-friendly building elements, and diesel backup generators designed to reduce emissions by 90%
• 67 acres of open green space with walking trails for public use
• Projected silver LEED certification for data centers

Located adjacent to the Chantilly Auto Park and about 10 minutes from Dulles International Airport, the site offers the connectivity and infrastructure access critical for modern data center operations.

"This is a high-impact, future-ready facility - and it's built for what comes next in AI, cloud, and edge computing," said John Kusturiss, a partner at Penzance. "Chantilly offers unmatched connectivity, and this site is designed to deliver for today's infrastructure needs while anticipating tomorrow's technologies."

Why does this matter for Construction?

Data centers are among the most technically demanding construction projects in the industry. They require:

Mission-critical reliability with no room for error in power, cooling, or redundancy systems

Advanced MEP coordination to deliver sophisticated HVAC, electrical, and backup power systems that operate flawlessly

Tight timelines with penalties for delays, requiring experienced leadership who can keep complex projects on track

Sustainable building practices to meet LEED certification and minimize environmental impact

Safety management on high-volume sites with multiple trades working simultaneously

Building a 240,000-square-foot data center in under three years isn't a task for general commercial construction teams. It demands specialized expertise and leadership who understand the unique challenges of mission-critical infrastructure.

What impact will this have on Recruitment?

The AWS Chantilly project is expected to create over 1,000 construction jobs and competition for experienced leadership will be fierce. Virginia's data center market is one of the most active in the world and projects like this drive sustained demand for specialized talent.

Project Managers & Directors with data center or industrial construction experience will be essential. These leaders need to navigate complex coordination, fast-paced schedules, and the technical demands of mission-critical facilities.

Superintendents skilled in large-scale ground-up construction and advanced MEP systems will oversee day-to-day operations, managing multiple trades and ensuring quality at every phase.

MEP Coordinators who understand sophisticated cooling, power distribution, and redundancy requirements are critical. Data centers live or die based on the performance of their mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Safety Managers experienced in high-volume, fast-paced industrial construction will ensure compliance and maintain safe working conditions across a complex, dynamic site.

The big picture...

The AWS Chantilly project is just one example of the data center boom happening across Virginia and the broader East Coast. Northern Virginia, often called "Data Center Alley," is home to the largest concentration of data centers in the world, driven by demand for cloud computing, AI infrastructure and edge computing capabilities.

As companies like AWS, Google, Microsoft and others continue investing billions in U.S. data center infrastructure, construction professionals with mission-critical experience will remain in high demand. For those with the right expertise, opportunities are expanding rapidly. For companies building these facilities, securing experienced leadership early is critical to staying on schedule and delivering to the exacting standards these projects require.

Building Mission-Critical Projects on the East Coast?

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