Data Center Construction Surpasses Offices in US

Spending on data center projects has exploded, overtaking office construction for the first time at the end of 2025.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:00pm

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Spending on data center construction projects in the U.S. has surpassed spending on office projects for the first time, according to a report from Bloomberg. This shift is driven by the growing demand for AI processing facilities from tech companies like Meta, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, who are building large data center campuses. Meanwhile, office development has slowed as cities contend with high vacancy rates since the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction firms like Turner Construction are seeing a significant increase in data center projects, with the company completing $9.4 billion worth in 2025, more than five times its 2020 total.

Why it matters

The rise of data center construction over office projects reflects the changing priorities of the tech industry and the broader economy. As artificial intelligence and cloud computing become increasingly important, the demand for energy-efficient data centers to power these technologies is growing rapidly. This shift could have long-term implications for real estate, urban planning, and the future of work.

The details

Tech companies like Meta, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have been building large data center campuses in areas like Columbus, Ohio, drawn by the stable economy, university talent pipeline, and ample power, water, and land. Construction firms like Turner Construction have seen a significant increase in data center projects, completing $9.4 billion worth in 2025, more than five times its 2020 total. At the same time, office development has slowed as cities contend with high vacancy rates since the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • In December 2025, spending on data centers ($3.57 billion) surpassed spending on offices ($3.49 billion) for the first time.
  • Since 2017, Meta has been building a computing hub outside Columbus, Ohio, which has attracted other tech companies to the area.

The players

Turner Construction Co.

A construction giant responsible for building supertall office skyscrapers, sports stadiums, and cultural venues around the globe, which has seen a significant increase in data center projects, completing $9.4 billion worth in 2025.

Meta

A tech company that broke ground on a data center campus outside Columbus, Ohio in 2017, which has since expanded and attracted other tech companies to the area.

Amazon.com Inc.

A tech company that made plans to join Meta's data center campus near Columbus, Ohio.

Alphabet Inc.'s Google

A tech company that made plans to join Meta's data center campus near Columbus, Ohio.

Microsoft Corp.

A tech company that made plans to join Meta's data center campus near Columbus, Ohio.

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What they’re saying

“When one shows up, almost all the other ones tend to follow.”

— Matt Kunz, Vice President and General Manager at Turner Construction Co. (Bloomberg)

“We're going to be building these at this scale for years to come. There's a lot of wind in the sail.”

— Christopher McFadden, Senior Vice President at Turner Construction (Bloomberg)

What’s next

The shift towards more data center construction over office projects is likely to continue as the demand for AI and cloud computing grows, potentially leading to further changes in real estate, urban planning, and the future of work.

The takeaway

The rise of data center construction over office projects reflects the tech industry's growing focus on artificial intelligence and cloud computing, which is transforming the real estate landscape and could have long-term implications for cities and the workforce.