Designing Sprint’s multiple web hosting data centers across the U.S. presented a unique creative challenge—balancing high-tech functionality with the need for maximum security and confidentiality. The goal was to create state-of-the-art, high-security facilities for Sprint’s clients while ensuring these centers remained “invisible” in the heart of urban environments. The design strategy focused on integrating these facilities seamlessly into the cityscape, maintaining a discreet, non-descript presence in the urban core, while providing world-class infrastructure.

The creative process began with selecting locations that would allow for both operational efficiency and discreetness. We transformed existing buildings into high-tech data centers that blended into their surroundings, allowing them to remain largely unnoticed. For example, we repurposed 80,000 square feet of space in Boston’s historic Willey’s Jeep factory near Fenway Park, 120,000 square feet in Manhattan’s Chelsea District, and 100,000 square feet each in Chicago and Atlanta. Each building was carefully designed to integrate into its historical or urban context while supporting the cutting-edge technology within.

The interior spaces were crafted to meet Sprint’s high-performance needs. The heart of each center is its web hosting data facility, with expansive spaces ranging from 60,000 to 100,000 square feet. The creative challenge was to combine technological infrastructure with operational efficiency and security. To enhance the client experience, we also designed a 20,000 square-foot customer sales and demonstration space within each center. These spaces were strategically located to provide stunning views of the high-impact, high-performance data areas, where clients could observe the complex operations of the web hosting facilities.

Ultimately, the design of these urban data centers was not just about high-end, secure technology—it was about integrating advanced infrastructure with the urban environment in a way that preserved confidentiality while delivering state-of-the-art services. These hidden jewels not only provided Sprint’s clients with top-tier security and functionality but also represented a creative fusion of innovation, architecture, and urban design.

Project location: New York, Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta

Project size: 80,000 – 120,000 SF

Work previously completed by John Jessen as Principal Architect with Architect-of-Record VOA Associates (now Stantec).