I’m thrilled to sit down with Dominic Jainy, a seasoned IT professional whose deep knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain offers unique insights into cutting-edge technology applications. Today, we’re diving into the world of commercial real estate development and data center infrastructure, focusing on a groundbreaking project by Menlo Equities in Fairfax County, Virginia. Our conversation explores the strategic vision behind this new data center, the innovative design features that set it apart, and how it fits into broader industry trends like sustainability and the rising demand for cloud and AI capabilities.
Can you share what sparked Menlo Equities’ decision to build the MD-DC1 data center in Herndon, Fairfax County?
Absolutely. Fairfax County, and Herndon in particular, has become a hotspot for tech infrastructure due to its proximity to major internet hubs and a robust fiber network. The location at 13775 McLearen Road offers strategic advantages, including access to key connectivity points and a growing pool of tech talent. Beyond that, Fairfax County is increasingly seen as a tech hub, and this project aligns perfectly with the region’s trajectory, supporting the surge in demand for data processing and storage driven by cloud services and AI applications.
What factors made this specific spot at McLearen Road the right choice for a data center?
The site itself is ideal due to its zoning, existing infrastructure, and proximity to Dominion Energy Virginia’s Lincoln Park Substation, which provides a reliable 67MW of utility power. It’s also in an area with minimal natural disaster risk, which is critical for uptime and reliability. Plus, being close to major transportation routes and other data centers in the region creates a synergy that benefits both operators and clients looking for low-latency connections.
Could you walk us through the standout features of the MD-DC1 data center design?
Sure, MD-DC1 is a two-story, 307,000-square-foot facility designed with scalability and efficiency in mind. It houses four 12MW data halls, totaling 48MW of IT capacity, which is tailored to handle the intense workloads of today’s cloud and AI-driven environments. The design prioritizes modularity, allowing for flexible configurations as client needs evolve, and incorporates advanced cooling systems to optimize energy use.
How does the partnership with Dominion Energy Virginia support the facility’s operations?
The 67MW of utility power from Dominion Energy Virginia is a game-changer. It ensures that MD-DC1 has the robust, reliable energy supply needed to keep operations running 24/7 without interruptions. This level of power capacity also gives us headroom to support future expansions or increased power density demands from clients, which is becoming more common with AI workloads.
The site used to house an older data center from the 1980s. What led to the decision to tear it down and rebuild from scratch?
The previous structure, built in phases between 1984 and 1989, just couldn’t meet today’s standards. It was limited in terms of power capacity, cooling efficiency, and space for modern equipment. Data centers back then weren’t designed for the high-density computing we see now. Rebuilding allowed us to create a facility that’s future-proof, with the infrastructure to support cutting-edge technology and significantly higher capacity.
This project is part of a larger expansion plan. Can you tell us more about Menlo’s broader strategy across the U.S.?
Definitely. Menlo Digital is targeting several Tier 1 markets beyond Virginia, including Phoenix, Arizona, with a 257MW campus, and Sunnyvale, California, with a 49MW site. We’re also working on major projects in Loudoun County, Virginia, and Richmond. The strategy is to build a network of facilities in key regions where demand for data processing is skyrocketing, ensuring we’re positioned to meet the needs of hyperscale cloud providers and AI innovators.
How is Menlo addressing the growing focus on sustainability and power density in these new developments?
Sustainability is a core pillar for us. We’re integrating energy-efficient designs, like advanced cooling technologies and renewable energy options where feasible. For power density, our facilities are built to handle the increasing demands of AI and machine learning workloads, which require more power per rack than traditional setups. We’re also exploring partnerships, like with NRG, to potentially develop sites with access to cleaner energy sources.
Menlo Digital is a relatively new platform. What prompted Menlo Equities to launch a dedicated data center division at this time?
The timing was driven by market trends. The explosion of cloud computing and AI has created unprecedented demand for specialized data center infrastructure. Menlo Equities has been in the data center space since 1998, but launching Menlo Digital as a focused platform allows us to double down on this sector, leveraging our expertise to deliver purpose-built solutions for these next-gen workloads.
How does Menlo Digital differentiate itself in meeting the unique needs of cloud and AI workloads?
We’re hyper-focused on high-density environments. That means designing for greater power and cooling capacities per square foot, ensuring low-latency connectivity, and offering scalable solutions. For AI specifically, we prioritize layouts that support GPU-intensive setups and provide the flexibility to adapt as technology evolves. It’s about anticipating what our clients will need tomorrow, not just today.
With the powered shell for MD-DC1 expected by summer 2026, what can we expect in the phases that follow?
Once the powered shell is complete, the next steps involve outfitting the data halls with the specific infrastructure our clients require—think racks, cabling, and advanced cooling systems. We’ll also be working on final testing to ensure everything meets our uptime and efficiency standards. After that, it’s about onboarding tenants and potentially planning for additional capacity if demand continues to grow as projected.
Looking ahead, what’s your forecast for the future of data center development in regions like Fairfax County?
I think regions like Fairfax County are poised for explosive growth in data center development. The demand for digital infrastructure isn’t slowing down—AI, 5G, and edge computing will only accelerate it. I expect we’ll see even more investment in these areas, with a strong push toward sustainable practices and innovative designs to handle higher power densities. Fairfax County could very well solidify its place as one of the top data center hubs in the country over the next decade.