The industry is balancing huge growth with continuing public skepticism.
As pushback against the development of data centers intensifies across the country, the industry is seeing unprecedented growth driven by hyperscalers, neoclouds and artificial intelligence companies, with demand doubling year over year, according to JLL’s North American Data Center Report for the first half of 2026.
Absorption for the first part of 2026 reached an all-time high with 25 gigawatts of absorption, double the level from a year ago and five times higher than 2024. Vacancy remained at 1 percent for the third consecutive year despite unprecedented construction activity. North America has 66 gigawatts under construction, with 95 percent of that pre-committed.
“It’s great numbers across all dimensions,” Sean Farney, vice president for data center strategy at JLL, told Commercial Property Executive of the report. “It just shows the strength and resilience of the segment.”...
Absorption for the first part of 2026 reached an all-time high with 25 gigawatts of absorption, double the level from a year ago and five times higher than 2024. Vacancy remained at 1 percent for the third consecutive year despite unprecedented construction activity. North America has 66 gigawatts under construction, with 95 percent of that pre-committed.
“It’s great numbers across all dimensions,” Sean Farney, vice president for data center strategy at JLL, told Commercial Property Executive of the report. “It just shows the strength and resilience of the segment.”...
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RSK: There is a lot of money in Ai data centers. So both sides will eventually come together if there is transparency.
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- - Volume: 26 - WEEK: 34 Date: 8/18/2026 4:42:48 PM -