QTS Realty Trust has selected the team of contractors that will develop its Chicago data center. Led by Mortenson Construction, the extended development team includes The Hill Group, Continental Electrical Construction Company, ESD, Inc., Corgan Associates, Inc., and DLB Associates Consulting Engineers.

"We're partnering with companies that understand the Chicago market and are innovative, experienced leaders in the construction of mission critical facilities," James Reinhart, chief operating officer – Operations – QTS. "Together, we will bring a premium mega data center online in Chicago with the reliability, resiliency, and premium service for which QTS is known."

One of the largest builders in the Midwest, Mortenson Construction is renowned for work on mission critical facilities for elite technology and enterprise businesses across the country. The Hill Group, headquartered in Franklin Park, Illinois, has successfully completed more than 40 data center projects totaling more than 200MW of critical IT infrastructure. Chicago-based Continental Electrical Construction Company is one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the Midwest and has vast experience in mission critical design and construction.

ESD has rich experience in the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of mission critical facilities. Corgan Associates is consistently ranked one of the top 10 architecture firms in the U.S. and has completed data center projects across the globe. DLB Associates is a premier international professional services provider having designed, built and commissioned more than 4GW of mission critical infrastructure.

QTS will join Mortenson Construction to participate in the J.P. Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge on May 21, 2015. The data center provider is partnering with Mortenson Construction to co-host a hospitality tent at the 34^th annual event taking place at Grant Park. The 3.5 mile road race will benefit Get IN Chicago, a foundation dedicated to reducing violence and creating better opportunities for youth.

The QTS Chicago data center, a 317,000 square foot building located at 2800 S. Ashland Ave, is expected to open in 2016. QTS will redevelop the facility with raised floor capacity of approximately 128,000 square feet and 28MW of power. The site already has robust connectivity, including direct access to long haul fiber networks. Chicago adds another strategic location to support QTS' unique 3C product platform of custom data center (C1), colocation (C2) and cloud and managed services (C3).