The owner of 350 Cermak, Digital Realty Trust, with multiple customers ready to occupy, needed five data centers constructed in the historic Donnelly Building in five months. The data centers would encompass over 50,000 square feet of raised floor, with a total of 100,000 rsf including support space. Equipment was pre-ordered, design was in progress and construction had commenced.

Digital turned to Athenian, partnered for this effort with Razak Company, to handle this large and very visible project. The team coordinated two general contractors working from four sets of drawings being completed in phases, kept the job on track while negotiating contracts and lowering the project budget by approximately 10%. The team surmounted difficulties including customer-necessitated changes, equipment delivery delays, and damage to equipment from adjacent work by others.

The job was completed on time and 8% under budget, with the first customer occupying the building immediately.