Data center planned for former Kenwood Convent site in Albany
An entity affiliated with Guild Ventures, EKG Group LLC, is seeking approval to develop a "tech center" including an edge data center at the former Kenwood Convent site in Albany. The project is part of a larger mixed-use development and has prompted discussions with regulators and city officials regarding its potential electricity consumption. While initial filings indicated a 180 MW power requirement, developers state the actual data center usage will be much lower.
Guild Ventures, through an affiliated entity EKG Group LLC, is proposing a significant mixed-use development at the former Kenwood Convent site in Albany, New York, which was destroyed by fire in 2023. The $250 million project, dubbed the Kenwood Tech Center, aims to include housing, retail, green space, and a technology campus featuring an "edge" data center.
Developers have filed an application with the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), indicating a potential need for 180 megawatts of electricity for the entire mixed-use development. However, Guild Ventures spokesman Ryan Moore clarified that this figure represents a theoretical maximum for the full build-out across all uses. He emphasized that the data center component would be much smaller than a hyperscale facility, primarily serving local customers, and would use a fraction of the stated power incrementally over time.
The proposal has already led to meetings between the developers and Albany city officials, including Mayor Dorcey Applyrs' team and common council members, as well as community groups. The Mayor's office is conducting due diligence with Capitalize Albany to understand the full scope of the project, which is currently seeking necessary approvals to connect to the electrical grid and proceed with construction.