Related Companies Funding Related Digital to Drive $45B Data Center Plan
Related Companies is intensifying its focus on data centers by launching and capitalizing Related Digital, a new venture aimed at supporting a robust $45 billion development pipeline to deliver digital infrastructure solutions for AI and cloud hyperscale technology companies.
With an initial commitment of at least $500 million to jumpstart growth, Related Digital is also pursuing an ambitious capital-raising initiative targeting up to $8 billion. Morgan Stanley is advising on the first phase of the platform’s capital formation efforts, with initial capital to be committed starting in the second half of 2025.
“Digital infrastructure is one of the most remarkable growth categories and asset classes that I have seen in my more than 35 years in real estate development, driven by the unprecedented demand for data centers with reliable access to significant energy sources,” said Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies.
Their first North American project, a 64-megawatt data center in Ontario, CA, is pre-leased and set to start operations this summer.
Related Digital’s development pipeline includes a data center campus in Chicago, with several additional projects in Illinois, Missouri and Wyoming. The company has appointed Brent Behrman as CIO of the new venture.
Related Digital’s investments will be led through the company’s affiliate, Related Fund Management.