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Meta’s Henrico Data Center Celebrates Topping Out of Project on Campus

The construction team celebrated the topping out of Buildings 5 & 6, representing the third phase of work at Meta’s Henrico Data Center campus in Virginia. Members of Meta (the technology company that owns Facebook), DPR and its trade partners gathered for the ceremony as the building’s final steel beam was hoisted into place.

Team members sign the final beam to mark the topping out.
Team members sign the final beam marking the topping out. They also applauded the safety and quality achievements they reached as a team. Courtesy of Rebekah Rafferty

During the ceremony team members addressed the safety and quality achievements of the team to date:

  • 1.4 million craft hours worked
  • 2,400 individual safety orientations
  • 7,150 tons of structural steel installed
  • 5,000 anchor bolts with zero rework
The final beam being lifted into place.
The final beam was lifted into place denoting the completion of the building structure. Courtesy of Rebekah Rafferty

The design of this phase reflects the previous buildings and layout of the others on the Henrico campus. DPR's scope includes challenging site logistics and the protection of wetlands. The completed structure will follow the current "H" design Meta is using across its campuses with a modified two-story administration building. The building will have an adjacent generator yard connected to an existing substation.

Henrico Data Center team member celebrating the completion of the project.
After 5 years on campus the Henrico Data Center team accomplished a major milestone in its third phase of construction. Courtesy of Rebekah Rafferty

Shortly after topping out, the team also achieved one of the most critical turnovers a week early: the first data hall. In a carefully orchestrated feat, the team accomplished the turnover, illustrating DPR’s lasting commitment to safety, planning, attention to detail, and strong execution results.

Once Buildings 5 & 6 are completed, the 130-acre site will encompass 2.5 million square feet of data center and administration space, becoming a vital part of Meta’s portfolio of 14 data centers nationally and 21 worldwide.