Dallas has been identified as the leading global location for data centers, according to a new report from real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. The analysis marks the first time the Texas city has held the top position, surpassing Virginia, which had maintained the No. 1 ranking for more than 25 years.
The report evaluated over 100 markets worldwide, considering factors such as power infrastructure, political stability, regulatory environments, and data retention capabilities. Roxanne Marquis, a data center real estate agent with more than 20 years of experience, attributed Dallas’s rise to its comprehensive infrastructure.
She noted that the region offers not just space for individual facilities but room for entire campuses, allowing developers to avoid the constant search for new land parcels.
Marquis explained that developers prefer locations where their workforce can reside locally. She stated that while other areas in Texas may have ample power, the Dallas-Fort Worth area provides a desirable living environment, reducing the need for long commutes. This combination of buildable land and residential appeal has drawn significant development interest to the region.
However, the rapid expansion of data centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has also generated opposition. In August, Governor Greg Abbott expressed concern about the impact of these facilities on local communities. He stated that there is no justification for building data centers near neighborhoods that would disturb residents.
