Kansas City’s Downtown Transforms with New Data Center and Tech Co-Working Space

Kansas City Welcomes New Data Center to Revitalize Downtown

Kansas City is buzzing with excitement as the former printing press of The Star at 1601 McGee St. transforms into a vibrant data center and tech co-working space. This fresh development is being driven by Patmos, a software and data hosting company focused on providing a free speech-driven alternative to big tech. Just recently, Patmos announced its first client, Nebius, an ambitious artificial intelligence company based in Amsterdam.

A Tech-Tastic Beginning!

Nebius, which is on the hunt for new opportunities in U.S. cities, has plans to invest over $1 billion into this Kansas City data center by mid-2025. With the rising influence of AI in our daily lives, Nebius brings fundamental infrastructure to support companies that need intense computational power.

This innovative project is fortunate to inherit the existing infrastructure from The Star’s former operations. The building was set up for large-scale newspaper printing, meaning it’s well-equipped to support the hefty demands of a data center. Patmos officials shared that this unique site was attractive due to its pre-existing power sources and data rooms, combined with ample space to accommodate additional innovations beyond just a data center.

More Than Just a Data Center

Chief Infrastructure Officer Joe Morgan highlighted this further by stating, “This building is unique in that it has a lot of power available to it, but it also gives us a lot of extra opportunities because we don’t need the entire building.” Patmos intends to incorporate shared workspaces in the building—offering a collaborative hub for tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs aiming to innovate.

The company’s CEO, John Johnson, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting that it will be “unlike any other data center, which are notoriously industrial eyesores.” Instead of just being a cold, industrial facility, this data center will foster “a place for people to work in a community of like-minded peers,” he shares. Johnson believes Kansas City is emerging as a fast-growing tech hub, and creating a physical home for budding tech energy will greatly contribute to the city’s vibrancy.

Community-Centric Vision

But that’s not all! Patmos has plans to engage the community, incorporating exciting elements like real-time AI-generated art displays that will captivate the public. People will be invited to see the stunning artwork in action, making it a sensational spot in the area.

The company is also eager to preserve the legacy of The Star by integrating elements from its time into the site’s design. Expect some old machinery and a wall filled with nostalgic Star headlines to ensconce the new tech environment, melding history and innovation into one cohesive space.

A Look Back

Just a bit of history: The Star’s impressive 400,000-square-foot glass and copper building was inaugurated in 2006. It housed four state-of-the-art printing presses that churned out The Star and various other national and local publications. However, after consolidating in 2018 due to a redevelopment project nearby, the building saw its last days when The Star officially departed in 2021 amidst a bankruptcy reorganization.

Now under the ownership of Ambassador Hospitality, LLC, part of the Privitera family, the site has evolved from its former role, and it’s poised for exciting changes ahead. Earlier, there were discussions about possibly utilizing the site for a future downtown baseball stadium, although that idea was knocked down by local voters.

The Future Is Bright

With Patmos’s commitment to this new venture, the community’s anticipation grows. From fostering tech collaborations to showcasing breathtaking AI art, the former home of The Star is set to become a hub of innovation and creativity. As Kansas City embraces this new chapter, it promises to be an exhilarating journey ahead!