Finding the best data center in Chicago often means sorting through a long list of promises that sound the same. You want a facility that stays online, a space that can grow with you, and connections that do not slow your business down. Element Critical’s Chicago One and Chicago Two campuses take those expectations and ground them in practical design. Located in Wood Dale, these facilities give companies steady power, flexible space, and strong connectivity without adding hurdles or hidden tradeoffs.
Here is a closer look at how these data centers meet the factors many companies consider when comparing colocation options in the Chicago market.
What Makes Element Critical One of the Best Data Center Options in Chicago
Businesses usually look for three things when searching for Chicago colocation:
- Dependable power
- Room to grow
- Strong connections to carriers and cloud providers
Element Critical’s Chicago facilities support all three while giving customers flexibility in how they deploy and expand over time.
Reliable Power That Keeps Workloads Steady
Uptime is the foundation of any data center decision, and both Chicago One and Chicago Two were built around that priority. Chicago One offers 7 megawatts of available power, delivered in N, N+1, and 2N configurations. Chicago Two offers 5 megawatts also in the same configurations. Each campus draws power from dual substations that feed the buildings through diverse routes, giving customers a buffer against utility disruptions.
Inside the campus, each data hall supports high-density with a 2N redundant design. That means every critical component has a full backup, not a partial fallback. Companies running mission-critical workloads or systems with strict recovery rules often rely on this type of redundancy.
Support for High Density and Performance Equipment
Many companies operating in Chicago rely on workloads that need more power per cabinet than before. Both Element Critical campuses were designed to support these deployments without requiring unusual layouts or custom engineering.
For companies that want a dedicated environment, the CH2’s new build-to-suite provides a ready-made space with 300 kilowatts of available load and capacity for 97 cabinets. It offers controlled access and consistent cooling, making it well suited for customers who want the privacy of a suite while still benefiting from the broader Chicago campus.
Flexible Space Designed Around How Companies Grow
Businesses grow at different speeds, and workloads evolve over time. The Chicago campus supports cabinet-level deployments for companies just starting to colocate, as well as cages, private suites, and wholesale data halls up to one megawatt for organizations that need larger footprints.
Customers can adjust layouts, build lab or test areas, and select redundancy and contract terms that match their internal requirements. This flexibility allows companies to expand in place instead of moving equipment or shifting facilities during a growth cycle.
Strong Connectivity for Hybrid and Multi Cloud Strategies
Connectivity is a major factor when choosing a data center in Chicago, and Element Critical’s campuses sit within one of the region’s strongest interconnection zones. Carriers on site include AT&T, Lumen, Comcast, Crown Castle, Cogent, Zayo, Windstream, and Megaport, along with additional regional providers.
Cloud access is straightforward. Through direct on ramps, customers can connect to AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and additional platforms. Many companies use the Chicago facilities as a central point for hybrid deployments that merge on premises infrastructure with public cloud services.
How Secure Are Element Critical’s Data Centers in Chicago
Security applies to every level of the Chicago facilities. Access is controlled at entry points, and biometric authentication is used in sensitive areas. Staff are on site at all hours. Video surveillance covers interior and exterior areas, and motion detection systems monitor restricted spaces. Cabinets and cages add another layer of protection for customer equipment.
Fire protection includes dual interlock dry pipe sprinklers, nitrogen based suppression in dry pipe zones, and VESDA detection systems that identify issues early. Both Chicago One and Chicago Two meet recognized standards for SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, which helps companies running regulated workloads.
Does the Chicago Location Provide an Advantage
Yes. The Wood Dale campus sits near major regional interconnects and within reach of Chicago’s business districts. The location also provides strong disaster recovery positioning for companies across the Midwest.
Location advantages include:
• Near Elk Grove Village, Franklin Park, and surrounding suburban markets
• Eight miles from O’Hare International Airport
• Twenty three miles from Midway
• Outside both 500 year and 100 year floodplains
These features make the campus a practical option for companies in Chicago and those seeking a secondary site within a reasonable distance.
Why CH1 and CH2 Rank Among the Best Data Centers in Chicago
Element Critical’s Chicago data centers offer reliable power, strong security, flexible space options, and a mix of carrier and cloud access that supports modern IT strategies. Local teams support deployments of all sizes, and customers can scale from a single cabinet to large suites without relocating to another site.
Ready to see the facilities for yourself? Contact us today to schedule a private tour of Element Critical’s Chicago data centers.