Digital Realty Trust announced the acquisition of two parcels of land in Abbiategrasso, southwest of Milan, to build a new data‑center campus. The initial phase will deliver an 8‑megawatt facility, with a second phase that could expand capacity to 84 MW once the larger plot is developed.
The Milan campus will provide high‑density colocation and interconnection services, positioning Digital Realty as a key player in Italy’s rapidly growing digital infrastructure market. The expansion complements the company’s Rome development (ROM1), which is expected to be operational in early 2027, giving Digital Realty a presence in both of Italy’s main connectivity hubs.
The decision follows a strong Q4 2025 earnings report that saw revenue of $1.63 billion, up 14 % year‑over‑year, and Core FFO per share of $1.86, up 8 % year‑over‑year. Management highlighted that the Milan site will support high‑density computing environments for AI, cloud, and enterprise workloads, reflecting the broader shift toward more demanding workloads.
Digital Realty’s 2026 Core FFO guidance of $7.90–$8.00 per share signals confidence in continued growth, driven by a robust backlog and leasing momentum. The company’s focus on AI and cloud demand is underscored by record bookings in the 0‑1 MW plus interconnection segment, which is increasingly driven by AI inference workloads.
Paula Cogan, Managing Director for EMEA, said the company is excited to enter Milan, Italy’s business capital with a dynamic tech ecosystem. She added that expanding into Milan will provide much‑needed infrastructure to support the city’s growth as a digital hub, fostering new content, interconnection, and cloud communities.
Milan’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, combined with dense terrestrial fiber routes and proximity to subsea cable corridors, makes it a vital digital interconnection point. The new campus will be engineered to support high‑density computing environments, aligning with the industry’s shift toward AI, machine learning, and cloud services.
Digital Realty’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its Rome facility, powered by 100 % renewable energy. While the Milan campus has not yet disclosed its energy mix, the company’s broader focus on environmental responsibility suggests a similar approach will be pursued.
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