Vantage Data Centers, backed by  DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG), has announced the topping out of its first 16MW data center in Goodyear, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix, one of the top five data centre markets in the US.

This will be the company’s largest North American campus when fully developed at 160MW and second largest globally, after its 270MW Cardiff campus in the UK.

The first phase of development will be comprised of a two-story facility offering 16MW of critical IT capacity and is scheduled to be operational in the spring.

Jeff Tench, president, North America, Vantage Data Centers, which has recently raised US$530 million in securitised notes to fuel further portfolio expansion, said: “As we continue to expand globally, Vantage is also increasing our footprint across North America to meet our customers growing needs, providing high-quality data centres in strategic markets.

“Our customers have identified Phoenix as an ideal location due to its low power costs, rich connectivity and business-friendly environment. This is a fitting market for hyperscalers, cloud providers and larger enterprises who need a west coast presence for their digital infrastructure requirements.”

Located on 50 acres within Goodyear’s “Bullard Tech Corridor,” this growing campus will include three data centres and more than one million square feet once fully developed.

Vice Mayor Brannon Hampton, said: “We are excited Vantage chose Goodyear for its flagship location in the southwest region. The company’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated by design decisions which virtually eliminate water for cooling.

“The city of Goodyear has established itself as a dynamic locality by attracting top technology companies and knowledge-based jobs. We look forward to a sustained partnership as the first facility opens its doors next year.”

Vantage operates US campuses in Virginia, Arizona, Washington and California. Additionally, it services customers in Montreal and Quebec City in Canada.

Its global expansion has seen the business invest $2 billion in establishing a footprint in Europe covering Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan, Warsaw, Cardiff (through the acquisition of NGD), and Zurich.

In September, Vantage broke into Asia with $1.5 billion in investor-led acquisitions, taking over assets from Agile Data Centers and PCCW’s Data Center Business (PCCW DC) in Tokyo, Osaka, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

More recently, the company broke ground in Africa where it is building its first data centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, representing an investment of $1 billion.