Meta Fort Worth Data Center
Meta Fort Worth Data Center | Fort Worth, Texas
Meta's Fort Worth Data Center, located on a sprawling 170-acre campus in
Fort Worth, Texas, was a major multi-phase construction project that began in
2015. Developed by DPR Construction for Meta (formerly Facebook), the
cutting-edge data center complex spanned over 2.5 million square feet across
multiple buildings, arranged primarily in an "H" configuration.
About The Project
The project, valued at approximately $1.5 billion, was delivered in stages, with the first phase becoming operational in 2017. Data halls and administrative spaces came online progressively, and the full campus was completed in 2023. At its peak, the site employed around 1,200 skilled trade workers and, upon completion, supported over 200 permanent operational jobs—contributing significantly to the local economy.
Sustainability was a core priority throughout the project. The facility operated entirely on 100% clean and renewable energy, contributing to the development of nearly 1,919 MW of new renewable energy in Texas. Water stewardship also played a central role—advanced cooling systems reduced water usage by approximately 75% compared to standard designs, and strategies such as sustainable landscaping, rainwater capture and water reuse helped Meta advance its goal of becoming “water positive” by 2030.
As part of Meta’s global infrastructure, the Fort Worth Data Center delivered critical capacity to support platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—empowering more than 3 billion users worldwide. Its location in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex offered strong connectivity to fiber networks, a resilient energy grid and access to a skilled workforce.
Overall, Meta’s Fort Worth campus stood as a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient and community-focused digital infrastructure development—combining large-scale capacity with environmental responsibility and long-term local economic impact.
Photo: Meta
Mission Critical Facility Expertise
DPR’s work on the Fort Worth campus includes five separate data centers that are being delivered over multiple phases, inclusive of rooftop air handling equipment, outdoor standby diesel generators and a separate electrical substation among various other components.
During the ongoing, multi-year construction effort, DPR has overcome an array of challenges to move the various projects forward. DPR project teams leveraged their mission critical facility expertise, virtual design and construction tools including extensive laser scanning efforts and various other tools to enhance efficiency and quality as they worked to deliver a world class campus complex.
The Challenges
DPR project teams faced myriad challenges throughout design and construction of the multi-phased data center campus project.
These challenges have included everything from historical weather events to zero laydown area, labor challenges, aggressive schedules, and material shortages. The team additionally faced varying foundation challenges due to difficulties in attaining suitable loadbearing capacity for the structures. Finally, 2020 ushered in the global pandemic crisis, adding yet another hurdle to navigate.
Photo: DPR project teams faced myriad challenges throughout design and construction of the multi-phased data center campus project.
The Challenges
DPR project teams faced myriad challenges throughout design and construction of the multi-phased data center campus project.
These challenges have included everything from historical weather events to zero laydown area, labor challenges, aggressive schedules, and material shortages. The team additionally faced varying foundation challenges due to difficulties in attaining suitable loadbearing capacity for the structures. Finally, 2020 ushered in the global pandemic crisis, adding yet another hurdle to navigate.
Photo: DPR project teams faced myriad challenges throughout design and construction of the multi-phased data center campus project.
The Solutions
DPR has leveraged its mission critical facility expertise to effectively tackle diverse challenges on this new campus project. Virtual design and construction tools have proven to be particularly effective, according to DPR’s Andy Kirby. The team employed BIM and an extensive use of laser scanning to increase efficiency.
Photo: Encompassing more than 2.5 million square feet spread over multiple buildings on the 170-acre site, construction on the Facebook Data Center campus kicked off in 2015 and was scheduled for completion in 2023.
“We utilized laser scanning to verify installation of conduit and piping in accordance with the 3D model,” Kirby noted. MEP trade partners were involved with the creation of the 3D model early on. After DPR worked through the clash detection of the model to ensure that there were no major issues, the trades fabricated and installed their conduits/piping directly based on the 3D model.
Photo: DPR project teams leveraged their mission critical facility expertise, virtual design and construction tools including extensive laser scanning efforts and various other tools.
“We would then laser scan the installation of the materials and take that information and import it back into the model,” Kirby explained. “With this, we could compare the actual location with what it should have been in the model. The trades can then make any adjustments as needed prior to pouring concrete or closing up the second side of drywall.”
Photo: The new campus supports Facebook’s mission to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.
The
Solutions
DPR has leveraged its mission critical facility expertise to effectively tackle diverse challenges on this new campus project. Virtual design and construction tools have proven to be particularly effective, according to DPR’s Andy Kirby. The team employed BIM and an extensive use of laser scanning to increase efficiency.
Photo: Encompassing more than 2.5 million square feet spread over multiple buildings on the 170-acre site, construction on the Facebook Data Center campus kicked off in 2015 and was scheduled for completion in 2023.
“We utilized laser scanning to verify installation of conduit and piping in accordance with the 3D model,” Kirby noted. MEP trade partners were involved with the creation of the 3D model early on. After DPR worked through the clash detection of the model to ensure that there were no major issues, the trades fabricated and installed their conduits/piping directly based on the 3D model.
Photo: DPR project teams leveraged their mission critical facility expertise, virtual design and construction tools including extensive laser scanning efforts and various other tools.
“We would then laser scan the installation of the materials and take that information and import it back into the model,” Kirby explained. “With this, we could compare the actual location with what it should have been in the model. The trades can then make any adjustments as needed prior to pouring concrete or closing up the second side of drywall.”
Photo: The new campus supports Facebook’s mission to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.
The campus adds significant data center capacity for Meta in Texas.
Encompassing more than 2.5 million square feet spread over multiple buildings on the 170-acre site, construction on the Meta Data Center campus kicked off in 2015 and was scheduled for completion in 2023.
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