Apple Waukee Data Center Building 3 Iowa: Future Hyperscale Expansion Hub
Status: Planned / Master Campus Phase Expansion | Location: 2995 W Hickman Rd, Waukee, IA 50263, United States
Project Overview
Apple Waukee – Building 3 is a planned hyperscale data center facility that represents a future expansion phase of Apple’s long-term development strategy for its 2,000-acre campus in Waukee, Iowa, located within the Des Moines metropolitan region. As part of Apple’s approximately US$1.375 billion investment in the campus, Building 3 is intended to further expand the company’s cloud computing, storage, and networking capabilities to meet the increasing global demand for digital services, artificial intelligence (AI), and next-generation computing platforms. Once completed, the facility will complement the existing and planned buildings on the campus, providing additional scalable infrastructure to support Apple’s growing portfolio of cloud-based services, including iCloud, Siri, Apple Music, the App Store, Apple Pay, Apple TV+, iMessage, and future Apple Intelligence features powered by Private Cloud Compute. Designed with a modular, high-density architecture, Building 3 will be capable of accommodating advanced AI training and inference workloads, machine learning applications, high-performance computing (HPC), and large-scale enterprise cloud operations while allowing efficient capacity expansion as demand grows. The facility is expected to incorporate highly resilient electrical and mechanical infrastructure, including redundant utility feeds, advanced uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, standby backup generators, fault-tolerant power distribution, and next-generation cooling technologies optimized for high-density compute environments. The design also includes liquid-cooling readiness to support future generations of AI accelerators and GPU-based infrastructure that require significantly greater thermal management than conventional servers. Sustainability is a central element of the project, with the facility planned to operate using 100% renewable electricity and engineered to achieve ultra-low Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) through advanced energy-efficient cooling, intelligent building management systems, and optimized power distribution. Comprehensive physical security, continuous environmental monitoring, biometric access controls, and advanced fire detection and suppression systems will help ensure the protection of critical infrastructure and uninterrupted service availability. Upon completion, Apple Waukee – Building 3 will further strengthen Apple’s North American cloud infrastructure, providing the scalable, resilient, and environmentally responsible foundation needed to support the company’s expanding ecosystem of AI-powered services, cloud platforms, and digital experiences for millions of users worldwide.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Apple Waukee Data Center Building 3 Iowa: Future Hyperscale Expansion Hub |
| Location | 2995 W Hickman Rd, Waukee, IA 50263, United States |
| Status | Planned / Master Campus Phase Expansion |
| Commissioning | Targeted Go-Live 2027–2028 |
| Total IT Load | ~40 MW Critical IT Power Capacity Allocation (Building 3) |
| Total Capacity | ~315,000 sq ft to 398,000 sq ft (~29,264 m² to 37,000 m²) gross facility footprint (Part of a 2,000-acre multi-building master campus) |
| Tier Level | Tier III+ Equivalent Fault-Tolerant Design / LEED Certified Design |
| Project Type | Single-Tenant Purpose-Built Hyperscale Cloud & AI Infrastructure Expansion Data Center |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Power Capacity | ~40 MW Building Power Capacity (~150 MW+ Planned Campus Total) |
| UPS Redundancy | 2N / Block Redundant Static UPS Architecture |
| Cooling System | Air-side free-cooling economizers, closed-loop chilled water plant, hot/cold aisle containment, Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling (DLC) readiness for high-density AI workloads, 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 |
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| Announcement | August 2017 |
| Construction Start | Future Planned Phase |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Target 2027–2028 |
| Full Buildout | Planned Master Campus Facility |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
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| Total Investment | $1,375,000,000 USD (Total Campus Capital Commitment) |
| Funding | Corporate Capital Expenditure (Apple Inc.) |