Finding the right data center in Houston means weighing factors that don’t always align. You need reliable power, but you also need reasonable costs. Security can’t be compromised, yet you still need flexibility to grow. Element Critical’s Houston One, located in the Energy Corridor, tackles these competing demands with infrastructure designed for the computing workloads businesses actually run today.
Here’s a closer look at the qualities that make Houston One a steady option for companies comparing colocation choices in Houston.
What Makes Houston One the Best Data Center in Houston?
Through its construction, utility design, and operational approach, Houston One addresses the areas that shape most decisions about colocation in the Houston market:
- Power reliability
- High-density support
- Strong network performance
Power That Stays on When It Matters Most
Ask IT managers about their biggest fears, and power outages top the list. Houston One gives customers a level of power stability that protects operations even during unexpected disruptions.
The building itself can handle extreme conditions. A six-inch concrete roof deck protects against winds over 190 miles per hour. But the real strength comes from how the campus is powered:
- The 20-acre property sits next to a 400 MVA substation with two separate underground feeds.
- The facility has 26 megawatts of utility power today, with the ability to grow past 60 megawatts.
- Premium rollover service shifts power between redundant transformers if one has an issue, keeping systems online without interruption.
- The entire site runs on a true 2N design for both electrical and mechanical systems, meaning every critical component has a full backup.
Does Houston One Support AI and High-Density Workloads?
Ten years ago, most server racks pulled 5 to 8 kilowatts. AI systems and high-performance computing changed that equation altogether. Some installations now need 50 kilowatts per rack or more.
Houston One was built anticipating this shift. Air-cooled equipment works up to 50 kW per rack. For higher density, immersion cooling handles up to 1000 watts per square foot. That is enough for the most demanding AI training and modeling work available today.
How Flexible Is the Space at Element Critical’s Data Center in Houston?
A startup might need one cabinet. An established company might need a private cage with dozens of racks. A large-scale operation might need an entire data hall drawing 15 MW. Houston One handles all three scenarios. Start small and expand as your business grows. The facility offers everything from individual cabinets to wholesale data halls.
Element Critical also lets you negotiate your own power contracts directly with electricity suppliers. Most data centers bundle power into their pricing and add a markup. When you control your own contract, you can access bulk purchasing rates and favorable market pricing. You can also design your redundancy model, select your power density, and structure contract terms around your actual needs.
What Network Carriers and Connectivity Options Are Available?
A data center only works if you can reliably connect to it. Houston One is a carrier neutral facility, so you are not tied to a single provider. Seventeen carriers already operate on campus, including AT&T, Lumen, Comcast, and Megaport.
Key connectivity features include:
- Direct access to Houston’s I-10 fiber corridor, which provides low latency to 1301 Fannin, the city’s main carrier hotel
- Fiber routes to Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio for regional connections
- Megaport’s cloud on ramps for fast access to hyperscalers
- Two separate fiber entry paths that keep connections online even if one path is damaged during construction or utility work
These options give customers steady performance and the flexibility to choose the providers and cloud services that fit their needs.
How Secure Is Element Critical’s Houston One Data Center?
Security at Houston One starts at the perimeter and continues through every part of the building.
- Entry requires several steps, including biometric checks and mantraps that stop tailgating.
- Staff are on site at all hours.
- Video cameras cover interior and exterior areas, and motion sensors monitor restricted spaces.
- Individual cabinets have their own locks, which protects customer equipment even inside shared rooms.
Fire protection is built with the same level of care.
- Dual interlock pre-action sprinklers require two triggers before releasing water, helping prevent accidental discharge.
- VESDA smoke detection identifies problems early.
- Nitrogen based suppression in dry pipe areas controls fire without water damage.
Houston One is also located outside both the 500 year and 100 year floodplains, an important safeguard in a city with a long history of severe flooding.
Is Houston One a Sustainable Data Center?
Houston One runs entirely on renewable power from solar and wind sources. The facility earned LEED Gold certification, making it the only Texas data center with this designation. Closed-loop air-cooled chillers reduce water use, while hot aisle containment improves cooling efficiency.
Local Support from People Who Know Houston
Element Critical’s Houston team lives and works in the area. They understand local utilities, infrastructure, and regional needs. When you call, you reach someone who can help instead of someone reading from a script. This local knowledge matters when handling complex deployments or solving unexpected problems.
Why Houston One Stands Out
Choosing a data center means trusting someone else’s infrastructure with your business continuity. That decision deserves careful evaluation. Houston One delivers reliable power, strong security, flexible space, and solid connectivity.
Ready to see the facility for yourself? Contact us today to schedule a private tour of Element Critical’s Houston One data center.