St. Louis Board Approves $3 Billion Armory District Data Center Project

GranitecityGossip.com April 21, 2026

The City of St. Louis took a major step forward Tuesday as the Board of Public Service unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a 120‑megawatt data center planned next to the historic Armory building, a project now estimated at $3 billion and envisioned as the centerpiece of a new “Armory Innovation District.”

The vote comes after weeks of review, revisions, and public scrutiny. In March, residents packed a five‑hour hearing to voice concerns about environmental impacts, noise, water use, and the overall scale of the development. Local unions, however, strongly supported the project.

City officials said the permit includes newly strengthened conditions addressing:
Water consumption and cooling systems
Air quality and emissions
Lighting and noise limits
Energy usage and reporting requirements
Long‑term oversight and compliance

Developers will be required to submit annual reports detailing energy and water use, as well as light and sound levels, a first for a St. Louis data center project.

The data center will be built at the former Macy’s/Famous‑Barr warehouse west of the Armory, while the Armory itself will be redeveloped into 214,500 square feet of Class A office space aimed at tech tenants. The project team includes Contour, TeraWatt, THO Investments, Steadfast City, ARCO, and Lewis Rice.

The approval comes just weeks after Mayor Cara Spencer asked the board to delay the vote for additional due diligence amid rising public opposition to data center development within the city. Despite that request, the board moved forward and approved the permit unanimously. Protesters holding signs attended the meeting, though board members participated via Zoom.

The Armory project has evolved dramatically over the past year. An earlier $600 million proposal faced intense backlash, prompting developers to rework the plan, expand the investment, and incorporate community feedback, particularly around environmental impact and sustainability. The updated design emphasizes high‑efficiency equipment, reduced water usage, and LEED‑aligned standards.

With today’s approval, the Armory Innovation District clears its most significant regulatory hurdle yet, though public debate over data center development in St. Louis is expected to continue.