Apple Waukee Data Center Building 1 Iowa: $1.3B Hyperscale Cloud Hub
Status: Fully Operational Hyperscale Facility | Location: 2995 W Hickman Rd 50263 Waukee Iowa, USA
Project Overview
Apple Waukee – Building 1 is the first hyperscale data center developed on Apple's expansive 2,000-acre master-planned campus in Waukee, Iowa, located west of Des Moines. Constructed as the initial phase of Apple's long-term investment valued at approximately US$1.375 billion, the facility represents a major expansion of the company's North American cloud infrastructure. Encompassing nearly 400,000 square feet of purpose-built data center space, Building 1 has been engineered to provide the scalability, resilience, and operational efficiency required to support Apple's rapidly growing portfolio of cloud-based services and digital platforms. The facility plays a critical role in delivering core services such as iCloud, Siri, iMessage, Apple Music, the App Store, Apple Pay, Apple TV+, and other internet-based applications that serve millions of users across North America. Designed to accommodate large-scale computing, storage, networking, and future artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, the data center incorporates highly resilient electrical and mechanical infrastructure, including redundant utility feeds, advanced uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, standby backup generators, fault-tolerant power distribution, and precision cooling technologies that ensure continuous service availability while maintaining exceptional operational efficiency. Advanced low-PUE cooling architecture minimizes energy consumption by optimizing thermal performance, enabling the facility to operate sustainably while supporting high-density computing environments. From the outset, Building 1 has been powered using 100% renewable electricity sourced through renewable energy procurement and regional clean energy initiatives, reinforcing Apple's global commitment to carbon reduction and environmentally responsible operations. The campus also features comprehensive physical security measures, including biometric access controls, continuous surveillance, environmental monitoring, and advanced fire detection and suppression systems to safeguard critical infrastructure. High-capacity fiber connectivity integrates the facility with Apple's nationwide and global network infrastructure, providing resilient, low-latency data transmission and seamless cloud service delivery. As the cornerstone of Apple's Waukee campus, Building 1 establishes the foundation for future expansion while strengthening the company's ability to deliver secure, reliable, scalable, and sustainable cloud services for customers throughout North America.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
| Project Name | Apple Waukee Data Center Building 1 Iowa: $1.3B Hyperscale Cloud Hub |
| Location | 2995 W Hickman Rd 50263 Waukee Iowa, USA |
| Status | Fully Operational Hyperscale Facility |
| Commissioning | Operational (Go-Live 2024) |
| Total IT Load | ~40 MW Critical IT Power Capacity Allocation (Building 1) |
| Total Capacity | ~398,473 sq ft (~37,020 m²) gross facility footprint (Part of a 2,000-acre master campus) |
| Tier Level | Tier III+ Equivalent Fault-Tolerant Design / LEED Certified Design |
| Project Type | Single-Tenant Purpose-Built Hyperscale Cloud & Infrastructure Data Center |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
| City Name | Waukee |
| Population | ~33,000 |
| Urban Agglomeration | Part of the Des Moines Metropolitan Area (~760,000 population) |
| City GDP | Part of the Des Moines metropolitan economy (estimated USD 65+ billion) |
| Per Capita Income | ~USD 55,000 |
| City Tier | Tier 2 – Emerging Data Center & Digital Infrastructure Hub |
| Key Strengths | One of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa; proximity to Des Moines; reliable and affordable power; expanding fiber connectivity; business-friendly environment; available land for hyperscale developments; growing technology and logistics sectors; access to a skilled workforce; attractive location for cloud, AI, and enterprise data center investments. |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
| Developer / Operator | Apple |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | MidAmerican Energy Company & City of Waukee Municipal Authorities |
| Construction Contractor | Specialized U.S. Mission-Critical EPC Contractors (e.g., JE Dunn / Ryan Companies) |
| MEP Engineering | Specialized Global Mission-Critical Engineering Consultants & Apple Data Center Engineering Teams |
| Network Connectivity | Dual path-diverse subterranean fiber entrance vaults, dedicated private Meet-Me-Rooms (MMRs), and direct dark fiber interconnection to major Midwestern fiber rings and Apple’s national data center network. |
| Power Infrastructure | High-voltage utility grid feeds from MidAmerican Energy, static 2N / Block Redundant uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configurations, automated switchgear, and multi-megawatt standby emergency diesel generator arrays with multi-day fuel autonomy. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
| Power Capacity | ~40 MW Initial Building Power Capacity (~150 MW+ Planned Campus Load) |
| UPS Redundancy | 2N / Block Redundant Static UPS Architecture |
| Cooling System | Air-side free-cooling economizers taking advantage of Iowa's temperate climate, closed-loop chilled water plant, hot/cold aisle containment, Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling (DLC) readiness, and automated BMS environmental controls. |
| Connectivity | High-bandwidth optical fiber links connecting Waukee directly to Apple’s primary data center campuses in Maiden (NC), Reno (NV), Prineville (OR), and Mesa (AZ). |
| PUE Target | < 1.20 Annualized Operational Design PUE |
| Energy Mix | 100% Renewable Energy supply (matched through local wind and solar Power Purchase Agreements with MidAmerican Energy). |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
| Announcement | August 2017 |
| Construction Start | 2022 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Operational (2024) |
| Full Buildout | Building 1 Operational / Multi-Building Master Campus Expansion Active |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
| Total Investment | $1,375,000,000 USD (Total Campus Capital Commitment) |
| Funding | Corporate Capital Expenditure (Apple Inc.) |