Compass Datacenters
A US-based developer and operator of modular data center campuses serving hyperscale and enterprise computing customers.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Compass Datacenters LLC is an American data center company focused on the development, construction, ownership, and operation of large-scale computing infrastructure. Its business is particularly associated with the hyperscale segment, where cloud providers, internet companies, and other customers require campuses capable of supporting substantial and expanding power and computing loads. Rather than operating solely as a conventional colocation landlord, Compass presents itself as a developer capable of delivering purpose-built facilities and modular capacity tailored to customer requirements. The company was founded in 2011 by Chris Crosby, a former senior vice president at Digital Realty who had worked on modular data center development. Modularity became an important element of Compass's technical and commercial approach. In 2014, the company received a patent connected with its modular data center design, reflecting its effort to standardize and accelerate the delivery of facilities while preserving the ability to configure campuses for different customers and deployment requirements. Compass initially concentrated on the United States but later expanded its geographic reach. Its Canadian presence was strengthened through the 2019 acquisition of ROOT Data Centers. The company also entered Israel through a partnership involving Amazon Web Services, while the Azrieli Group acquired a minority interest during the same general period. These moves extended Compass beyond its original US-centered platform and connected it with international hyperscale development opportunities. The company's activities encompass site development, data center construction, power and cooling infrastructure, facility operations, and customer-specific capacity delivery. It has worked with infrastructure and equipment partners including Schneider Electric, Cummins, Foster Fuels, Vertiv, and Salute. Compass also wholly owns Radix IoT, a software-as-a-service business specializing in data center management software, giving the group an additional capability in monitoring and managing critical infrastructure. In 2023, Compass acquired the former Sears headquarters property in Illinois with the stated aim of creating a major data center campus. Later that year, development of its Prince William County, Virginia, project received approval after a 4–3 vote. The project was described in reference material as one of the largest data center developments in the world, illustrating the scale of Compass's hyperscale strategy and the importance of large campus developments to its growth. On June 26, 2023, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan were reported to have purchased the company. Since 2023, those investors have controlled Compass through their private-equity and infrastructure investment arms. Compass therefore operates as a privately controlled data center infrastructure platform rather than a publicly traded company. Its principal competitive proposition is the combination of modular design, large-campus development, customer-specific infrastructure, and operational services for customers with demanding availability and capacity requirements.
History
Compass Datacenters was established in 2011 by Chris Crosby, who had previously served as a senior vice president at Digital Realty with responsibility related to modular data centers. From its beginning, Compass concentrated on the development of data center facilities that could be delivered in repeatable modules and adapted to the requirements of large computing customers. This approach was intended to support more efficient project delivery while allowing capacity, power systems, and other infrastructure to be configured for individual deployments. The company's modular engineering focus was recognized in 2014 through a patent associated with what Compass described as a truly modular data center. The patent formed part of the company's effort to distinguish its development model from conventional, more bespoke construction approaches. Compass's business subsequently developed around the ownership and operation of data center campuses as well as the construction of facilities for hyperscale and enterprise customers. Compass initially built its platform in the United States. It later expanded internationally, including into Canada through the 2019 acquisition of ROOT Data Centers. The company also expanded into Israel through a partnership with Amazon Web Services. During this period, the Azrieli Group acquired a 20% stake in the organization. These developments broadened Compass's geographic footprint and gave the company access to additional markets where cloud and hyperscale infrastructure demand was growing. In addition to its physical infrastructure activities, Compass wholly owns Radix IoT, a software-as-a-service company focused on data center management software. This business complements Compass's facility operations by providing tools associated with the supervision and management of data center environments. Compass has also developed relationships with infrastructure and operations partners such as Schneider Electric, Cummins, Foster Fuels, Vertiv, and Salute. The company continued pursuing very large campus projects in the United States. In 2023, it acquired the former Sears headquarters property in Illinois and planned to convert the site into a major data center campus. In December of that year, the Compass Prince William County project in Virginia was confirmed to proceed after a 4–3 development vote. The project was characterized in reference material as one of the world's largest data center developments, emphasizing the scale of Compass's current market ambitions. On June 26, 2023, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan were reported to have purchased Compass Datacenters. Since that transaction, the two investment organizations have controlled the company through their private investment and infrastructure arms. Compass remains a privately controlled data center platform with operations and development activity in the United States, Canada, and Israel. Its history reflects the broader growth of hyperscale computing, in which customers increasingly require large, reliable, and rapidly expandable campuses rather than isolated server facilities.
- 2023
Brookfield and Ontario Teachers' acquired Compass
[1]Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan became the company's controlling investors.
- 2023
Illinois mega-campus site acquired
[1]Compass acquired the former Sears headquarters property in Illinois for development as a major data center campus.
- 2023
Prince William County project approved
[1]The company's Prince William County development advanced after a 4–3 vote in favor of the project.
- 2019
Expansion into Canada through ROOT Data Centers acquisition
[1]Compass expanded its Canadian platform through the acquisition of ROOT Data Centers.
- 2014
Modular data center patent
[1]Compass received a patent associated with its modular data center design and development approach.
- 2011
Compass Datacenters founded
[1]Chris Crosby founded Compass Datacenters after working at Digital Realty on modular data center development.
Products and positioning
A privately controlled hyperscale data center developer and operator emphasizing modular facility design, large-scale campus delivery, and customer-specific infrastructure.
Data center infrastructure
Hyperscale data center campuses
Large, purpose-built campuses designed for hyperscale computing customers. These facilities combine substantial electrical capacity, cooling systems, connectivity, security, and operational infrastructure, with layouts intended to support expansion and customer-specific deployment requirements.
Data center infrastructure · 2014
Modular data center solutions
Compass's modular approach uses repeatable facility components and standardized development methods to support faster and more adaptable data center delivery. The company received a patent related to its modular data center design in 2014.
Colocation
Enterprise colocation facilities
Data center space and associated critical infrastructure for enterprise customers and other organizations that require professionally operated facilities, resilient power and cooling, physical security, and connectivity.
Data center management software
Radix IoT
A wholly owned software-as-a-service company specializing in data center management software. Its capabilities complement Compass's physical infrastructure business by supporting monitoring and operational management of data center environments.
Brand decisions
2023
Acquisition of former Sears headquarters propertyM&ABackground
Compass pursued a large Illinois development site suitable for a major data center campus.
Action taken
The company acquired the former Sears headquarters property in Illinois.
Aftermath
Compass planned to redevelop the property as a data center mega-campus.
2023
Change of controlling ownershipM&ABackground
Compass required long-term infrastructure capital to support large-scale data center development.
Action taken
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan purchased the company.
Aftermath
Compass became controlled by the two investment organizations and continued operating as a private data center platform.
2019
Acquisition of ROOT Data CentersM&ABackground
Compass sought to extend its initially US-focused data center platform into Canada.
Action taken
The company acquired ROOT Data Centers, strengthening its Canadian presence.
Aftermath
The transaction became part of Compass's international expansion across North America.
Recent events
Compass Datacenters acquires Toronto campus[2]
Reported:
Compass Datacenters acquired a new Toronto campus featuring fiber routes and supported by multiple fiber providers.
Sources2 sources
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