LEDG partners with investors and developers to conduct due diligence on potential and existing data center facilities or land acquisitions and evaluate existing assets for data center conversion ensuring capital expenditures align with strategic goals and market expansion.
Comprehensive Site & Asset Due Diligence
Feasibility Studies & Concept Design for Data Center Assets
On-Site Power Generation Analysis & Design
Capital Expenditure & Budget Development
Capacity to Support AI & High-Performance Workloads
Understand your options for powering a new or expanding data center. Partner with LEDG to conduct a feasibility study and develop a design on-site power generation to supplement or replace utility power.
Onsite Generation & Environmental Analysis
Infrastructure Analysis
Power Generation Test Fit
Onsite Power Generation Design & Engineering
Ensure seamless execution and strategic alignment at every phase with comprehensive, end-to-end project oversight—from site selection and design review to procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Project Management & Stakeholder Communication
Vendor & Contractor Coordination
Design & Engineering Oversight
Quality Control & Compliance
Project Handover & Documentation
Power the future of AI with cutting-edge high-performance computing, accelerated storage, and dynamic power and cooling infrastructure. LEDG strategies drive research, fuel innovation, and create the ideal environment to attract top-tier tenants and users.
Infrastructure Planning
Site Selection & Conversion Analysis
Power, Cooling, & Network
Budgeting
Security & Compliance
Develop strategies for new and existing real estate that leverages technology, integrates systems and devices, and applies advanced analytics to optimize sustainability, enhance efficiency, and elevate user experiences—while future-proofing assets for long-term value.
Digital Master Planning
ISP/Carrier Planning & Engagement
Building Technology Assessment
Systems Integration Strategy & Analysis
Leading Edge Design Group (LEDG) was engaged by a real estate development firm to conduct a comprehensive Due Diligence study, which included conceptual design and a preliminary project schedule for converting an existing office building in a prime downtown metropolitan location into a state-of-the-art, high-density AI-ready data center.
The primary goal of this engagement was to produce a compelling and actionable deliverable in the form of a detailed engineering report and presentation. These materials were designed to help the real estate developer effectively market the property by illustrating its potential transformation into a cutting-edge data center facility. This study aimed to provide a clear vision of what the building could become and outline the necessary steps and investments required to realize its full potential.
The project’s ultimate objective was to assist the developer in either selling the property to a prospective data center owner-operator or leasing it to a data center tenant. Additionally, the study provided an opportunity for the developer to explore a joint venture with a data center operations firm, allowing them to retain ownership of the property and lease space to potential clients in the data center industry.
Key Deliverables:
Due Diligence Report & Slide Deck: A comprehensive report and visual presentation outlining the feasibility, technical requirements, and financial implications of converting the building into a high-density data center.
Conceptual Design: A high-level design of the infrastructure necessary to support high-density computing, including AI-ready capabilities.
Preliminary Schedule: A timeline that identifies key milestones and major phases of the conversion process, from design to full operational capability.
Site Analysis & Recommendations: As part of the study, LEDG thoroughly assessed the existing electrical and broadband services available at the site. This included evaluating current capacity, identifying potential areas for utility expansion, and determining how much additional power and bandwidth could be feasibly integrated. Additionally, LEDG developed a conceptual design for integrating on-site natural gas generation, which would complement the existing power supply and increase the overall capacity and scalability of the future data center, making it suitable for high-density operations.
The findings from this study not only provided the real estate developer with a clear roadmap for future development but also equipped them with the necessary tools to market the property effectively to both potential owners and tenants in the rapidly growing data center market.
As demand for digital infrastructure accelerates, securing reliable and scalable power is critical when selecting new data center locations. A leading property developer evaluating multiple sites for data center conversion engaged LEDG to assess power availability across various energy sources—including grid electricity, district energy systems, steam, and renewable options—to ensure long-term viability for colocation and hyperscale tenants.
LEDG conducted a comprehensive power assessment, analyzing existing electrical capacity, grid stability, and the potential for alternative energy integration. We evaluated the feasibility of leveraging steam and district heating for cooling solutions, assessed substation proximity, and worked with utilities to determine expansion timelines. Additionally, we analyzed backup power strategies, renewable energy integration, and cost implications to align with sustainability and operational goals.
By leveraging LEDG’s due diligence, the developer gained a clear roadmap for site selection, ensuring each location could support scalable, high-density operations while optimizing power efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Leading Edge Design Group (LEDG) was engaged by a private equity firm representing a client who owns a small warehouse in an industrial sector located outside a major city in the southeastern U.S. The client sought to explore the feasibility of upgrading the facility’s utility services and converting it into a high-density, edge data center and transform the industrial warehouse into a state-of-the-art data center that could support high-density computing operations. The client’s end goal was to either lease the data center space to a potential tenant or partner with a datacenter provider to run the facility as a colocation data center.
Key Deliverables:
Due Diligence Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of the existing building, site utilities, and infrastructure to determine the feasibility of converting the warehouse into a high-density edge data center.
Supplemental Conceptual Design Study: This included architectural, structural, civil, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design services to outline the essential infrastructure needed to support the data center's operational requirements.
Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Project Costing: To provide the client with an understanding of the potential costs involved, LEDG developed a ROM cost estimate, detailing the investment required to upgrade the facility and convert it into a functional high-density data center.
Key Considerations & Recommendations:
As part of the study, LEDG evaluated the existing utility services, including power, cooling, and telecommunications, to determine what upgrades or expansions would be necessary to support the energy-intensive demands of an edge data center. The team also analyzed the architectural and structural elements of the warehouse to identify any modifications needed to accommodate the specialized infrastructure and ensure the building would meet all data center operational and safety standards.
LEDG’s due diligence assessment and conceptual design provided the client with a clear understanding of the property’s capabilities and limitations, as well as a roadmap for converting the warehouse into a viable high-density edge data center. The ROM cost estimates offered a realistic projection of the investment required, empowering the client to make informed decisions regarding leasing or partnering with a data center provider.
A leading data center services provider looking to expand into secondary and tertiary markets engaged LEDG to assess specific locations for feasibility and infrastructure readiness. The provider identified multiple sites requiring in-depth due diligence to determine their suitability for datacenter development.
LEDG conducted a comprehensive site assessment, analyzing power availability, grid capacity, fiber connectivity, structural integrity, and cooling potential. We worked with local utilities and municipalities to evaluate upgrade requirements, permitting challenges, and economic incentives. Additionally, we provided a comparative analysis of site-specific risks, operational costs, and long-term scalability to ensure each location aligned with the provider’s growth strategy.
Through LEDG’s site evaluation, the provider gained actionable insights to make informed investment decisions, ensuring optimal market entry while mitigating infrastructure and regulatory risks.
A leading real estate investor undertaking a large, multi-year, multi-use development engaged LEDG to create a comprehensive digital strategy for the entire redevelopment. With the scale and complexity of the project, the investor sought to integrate future-proof technology solutions that would support a diverse mix of commercial, residential, and research and lab spaces while ensuring long-term operational efficiency.
LEDG conducted a full smart buildings digital assessment, evaluating network architecture, occupant experience needs, smart building systems, and connectivity solutions. We worked closely with stakeholders to align technology planning with sustainability goals, tenant requirements, and evolving digital demands. Our strategic roadmap provided a framework for implementing scalable, high-performance infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity and long-term digital resilience across the development.