Small data center proposed at Starbucks HQ building in Sodo
A small-scale data center has been proposed for the ground floor of the Starbucks headquarters building in Seattle's Sodo neighborhood. This proposal comes shortly after the Seattle City Council enacted a one-year moratorium on new large data centers within city limits. However, the proposed facility reportedly falls below the size limit set by the moratorium, which applies to data centers using more than 20 megavolt-amperes.
A new "small-scale" data center is proposed for the ground floor of the Starbucks headquarters at 2401 Utah Avenue South in Seattle's Sodo neighborhood. This location previously housed an Amazon Fresh pickup facility until January 2024, according to permit records. The Daily Journal of Commerce was the first to report on the development.
This proposal surfaces shortly after the Seattle City Council unanimously voted to enact a one-year moratorium on new large data centers within city limits. The moratorium targets facilities that consume more than 20 megavolt-amperes, a measure roughly equivalent to 20 megawatts.
However, according to permit records, the proposed 45,600-square-foot data center at the Starbucks HQ building appears to be under this specified limit, suggesting it may not be subject to the newly enacted ban on larger facilities.