SB Energy plans data center, $1B renovation at former 3M campus
SB Energy and SoftBank are planning a $1 billion renovation of the former 3M campus in northwest Austin, which could include a 50-megawatt data center. GraphCore, a UK-based AI chip company, is set to be the first tenant and establish its US engineering headquarters there. The project is facing questions from neighbors and Austin city council members regarding its community integration and potential impacts.
SB Energy and SoftBank are undertaking a $1 billion renovation of the former 3M campus in northwest Austin, aiming to transform it into a research and development site that may include a data center. According to federal filings, the proposed data center could utilize up to 50 megawatts of electricity, a significant but not "hyperscale" amount.
GraphCore, a UK-based artificial intelligence and semiconductor company, plans to establish its US engineering headquarters at the site, becoming its first tenant. The project has sparked concerns among local residents and members of the Austin City Council, who are questioning how the development will integrate with the community and what controls the city can exercise over it.
SB Energy has indicated it will pay Austin Energy for grid connection and plans to implement a closed-loop system for water cooling. The property has been vacant since 2019, with SB Energy expecting to commence operations by late spring 2027.