Digital Realty Marseille MRS1 Data Center: 10MW Mediterranean Subsea Interconnection Hub
Status: Fully Operational Enterprise & Cloud Interconnection Hub | Location: 40 Avenue Roger Salengro, 13003 Marseille, France
Project Overview
Digital Realty Marseille MRS1 is a flagship carrier-neutral interconnection data center strategically located at 40 Avenue Roger Salengro in central Marseille, France, one of Europe's most significant international connectivity hubs. Serving as the cornerstone of Digital Realty's Marseille Campus, which includes the MRS1 through MRS5 facilities, MRS1 plays a critical role in connecting Europe with Africa, the Middle East, and Asia through direct access to one of the world's largest concentrations of international subsea cable systems terminating in Marseille. The facility is purpose-built to support hyperscale cloud providers, telecommunications operators, content delivery networks, financial institutions, enterprises, and digital service providers requiring resilient, low-latency global connectivity. Engineered to international standards for reliability and operational resilience, MRS1 offers high-density colocation solutions supported by redundant electrical infrastructure, energy-efficient cooling systems, advanced fire detection and suppression technologies, intelligent environmental monitoring, and comprehensive physical security with 24/7 surveillance and controlled access. As a highly connected carrier-neutral facility, MRS1 provides access to more than 60 telecommunications carriers and internet service providers, enabling customers to establish diverse and resilient network architectures while minimizing latency. The data center also offers direct connectivity to France-IX and other regional internet exchange ecosystems, strengthening network performance for domestic and international traffic. Integrated within Digital Realty's global PlatformDIGITAL® ecosystem, MRS1 enables seamless interconnection with hundreds of data centers worldwide, supporting hybrid IT strategies, multi-cloud deployments, and distributed digital infrastructure. Its strategic location at the crossroads of major international fiber and subsea cable routes makes the facility an essential gateway for organizations expanding across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Combining exceptional connectivity, resilient infrastructure, scalable colocation services, and access to a global digital ecosystem, Digital Realty Marseille MRS1 stands as one of Europe's most important international interconnection and cloud connectivity hubs.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Digital Realty Marseille MRS1 Data Center: 10MW Mediterranean Subsea Interconnection Hub |
| Location | 40 Avenue Roger Salengro, 13003 Marseille, France |
| Status | Fully Operational Enterprise & Cloud Interconnection Hub |
| Commissioning | Operational (Acquired by Interxion in 2013 from SFR Netcenter / Rebranded to Digital Realty 2022) |
| Total IT Load | ~6.0 MW to 8.0 MW Critical IT Power Capacity Allocation |
| Total Capacity | ~6,200 m² (~66,700 sq ft) gross building footprint / ~5,000 m² net colocation whitespace |
| Tier Level | Tier III Equivalent Fault-Tolerant Architecture / ISO 27001, PCI-DSS Certified |
| Project Type | Purpose-Built Multi-Tenant Carrier-Neutral Cloud Gateway & Subsea Cable Landing Hub |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Marseille |
| Population | ~870,000 (city proper) |
| Urban Agglomeration | ~1.7 million |
| City GDP | Approx. $85–100 billion USD |
| Per Capita Income | ~$30,000–$35,000 USD annually |
| City Tier | Tier 2 |
| Key Strengths | Major Mediterranean port (one of Europe’s largest) |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Digital Realty |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Enedis Utility Grid Network & EDF Entreprises |
| Construction Contractor | Specialized European Mission-Critical EPC & General Contractors |
| MEP Engineering | Digital Realty In-House Technical Infrastructure & Engineering Teams |
| Network Connectivity | Ultra-dense carrier-neutral environment, dual-entry fiber vaults, dedicated Meet-Me-Rooms (MMRs), 60+ carriers/ISPs, direct access to France-IX internet exchange, and direct backhaul to subsea landing stations in Marseille. |
| Power Infrastructure | Dual high-voltage grid utility feeds (10 MW total connection), static N+1 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) modules, automated switchgear, and multi-megawatt N+1 standby emergency diesel generator arrays supporting up to 72 hours of full-load autonomy. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 10.0 MW Total Utility Power Grid Connection Allocation |
| UPS Redundancy | N+1 Static UPS Architecture |
| Cooling System | High-efficiency cooling towers, chilled water systems, N+1 minimum CRAC/CRAH unit redundancy per customer room, cold aisle containment, and 24/7 real-time BMS environmental monitoring. |
| Connectivity | Ultra-low latency subterranean dark fiber links connecting MRS1 directly to Digital Realty's MRS2, MRS3, MRS4, and MRS5 facilities, as well as core European fiber routes. |
| PUE Target | < 1.35 Operational Design PUE |
| Energy Mix | 100% Certified Green Renewable Power supply backed by EDF Équilibre and Équilibre+ certificate offers. |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | 2013 (Acquisition) / Rebranded 2022 |
| Construction Start | Operational |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Operational |
| Full Buildout | Fully Operational Active Facility |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
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| Total Investment | Estimated €40,000,000 EUR to €60,000,000 EUR Capital Investment |
| Funding | Corporate Capital Expenditure (Digital Realty / Interxion) |