UK operator Datum Datacentres has launched a new facility in Manchester.

The company this week officially launched MCR2, marking the completion of the almost two-year construction project.

The facility, located in Wythenshawe, provides capacity for up to 1,200 racks, each offering densities up to 30kW.

Matt Edgley, COO at Datum Datacentres, said: “We are thrilled to have officially opened MCR2. From the outset, our vision for MCR2 was to set new standards in operational resilience and reliability, while embedding sustainability at its core. This facility stands as a testament to our commitment to fostering positive social and environmental change, supporting the local economy, and playing an active role in the regeneration of Wythenshawe.”

Local colo provider Teledata first announced plans for a second Manchester data center (known as MCR2) back in June 2022. However, after Datum acquired the company, timelines for the facility were pushed back amid a change of plan.

Teledata bought and planned to retrofit the existing Simon House building on Brownley Road to offer 25,000 sq ft (2,323 sqm) of data center space and 4MVA of capacity. However, Datum applied in June 2023 to instead demolish the existing structure and start from scratch with a purpose-built data center. Planning permission for the revised two-story data center spanning 4,153 sqm (44,700 sq ft) was secured in October 2023.

The ribbon was cut by Councillor Emma Taylor (Labour Councillor for the Sharston Ward), and the event was attended by distinguished guests, including members of Manchester City Council, who collaborated closely with Datum throughout the project.

Councillor Taylor said: “Data centers are a critical part of our data infrastructure in Manchester and, as anchors for investment, play a really important part in supporting local growth. This multimillion-pound investment by Datum really demonstrates the confidence in the region, and I’m really excited for what the future holds. As someone who grew up just meters from the site of what is now MCR2, I’d like to thank the team at Datum for bringing a bit of life back into the fringes of Wythenshawe town center.”

Salute-owned Keysource was the design and construction partner on the project. Jon Healy, managing director at Keysource, added: “It’s been great to deliver on another successful project with Datum Datacentres. We set out to challenge the status quo and drive the highest possible standards across the project design, construction, and sustainability. Collaboration between Datum and Keysource has been at the fore to deliver on key business drivers and is testament to our talented people involved. We look forward to the next project.”

Launched in 2007, Datum’s MCR1 facility is located in the adjacent Delta House. The company offers colocation space across five data halls in an eight-story, 70,000 sq ft (6,503 sqm) building.

Launched in 2012, Datum also operates the Datum FRN1 facility in the QinetiQ Cody Technology Park in Farnborough outside London. The 40,000 sq ft (3,716 sqm) facility was built by KeySource in 2012.

Datum was acquired by funds managed by the UBS Asset Management (UBS-AM) Real Estate & Private Markets business (REPM) in September 2021.