Data Center Development

VHB supports the full lifecycle of data center development, keeping projects on track from concept to commissioning.

The rapid growth of cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data-intensive applications is accelerating demand for reliable, efficient, and scalable data centers—often in regions where power, land, and infrastructure are already constrained. VHB leverages our integrated planning, engineering, environmental, and energy capabilities to help developers, owners, and operators meet this demand. From edge facilities to hyperscale campuses, we anticipate regulatory, environmental, and community considerations to reduce risk and accelerate delivery, without compromising grid stability or sustainability.

VHB partners with clients to identify sites using advanced analytics and mapping tools to quickly assess and validate high potential locations. Our team of land development, transportation, environmental, planning, and energy professionals guides projects through due diligence, entitlements, zoning, master planning, and site/civil and stormwater design. We align civil, structural, transportation, and utility design with critical power and cooling needs, working closely with utilities, regulators, and communities to navigate permitting and interconnection hurdles, and consider clean energy alternatives to help meet sustainability targets, lessen dependence on constrained local grids, and deliver reliable, scalable infrastructure.

Services Aligned with the Data Center Development Process

Pre-Development & Strategy

The pre-development and strategy phase focuses on confirming that a proposed data center is viable before significant capital is committed. VHB conducts comprehensive market and site selection analyses, feasibility studies, and business case and ROI modeling to inform investment decisions. Our team evaluates power, water, and fiber availability and performs environmental and geotechnical due diligence to identify risks early and position projects for successful entitlements and delivery.

Site Acquisition & Planning

Site acquisition and planning convert strategy into a permitted, development-ready site. VHB advances conceptual and schematic design and master plans that support phased build-out and future scalability while navigating zoning, land-use approvals, and permitting and entitlement strategies. We manage environmental impact studies, compliance, stakeholder and community engagement, and support site control efforts so projects move forward with well-structured purchase, lease, or option agreements.

Design & Engineering

During design and engineering, VHB delivers coordinated, constructable solutions tailored to data center performance requirements. We provide integrated site/civil, structural, and MEP design supported by geomatics services such as surveying, reality capture, and GIS for accurate existing conditions and digital coordination. Our teams incorporate landscape architecture, multimodal access, and sustainability measures—from LEED-aligned strategies to water reuse and energy efficiency—to create resilient, high performance facilities that respond to client, operational and community needs.

Procurement & Pre-Construction

The procurement and pre-construction phase aligns scope, budget, schedule, and delivery before breaking ground. VHB supports detailed budgeting and cost estimating, contractor and vendor selection, and procurement planning for major critical equipment. We advise on delivery models—including Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC), Owner’s Engineer, and program management—to help owners manage supply-chain risk, maintain schedule certainty, and establish clear governance.

Construction & Commissioning

VHB provides construction inspection and administration, supports site construction permit certifications, manages compliance, and coordinates closely with contractors and authorities so that data centers are built to specification and perform as intended. We guide testing and commissioning of the building, MEP, and critical systems to validate reliability, redundancy, and operational readiness, confirming the facility meets stringent uptime and service-level expectations at turnover.