Vantage Data Centers Expands in Italy with €350 Million Milan Campus
Vantage Data Centers, a global leader in hyperscale data center campuses, has announced the expansion of its Italian operations with a second campus in Milan. The new development, known as MXP2, represents an investment of more than €350 million (approximately $407 million USD) and underscores the company’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for high-performance digital infrastructure in Europe.
Located in Castelletto, just 15 kilometers from central Milan, the MXP2 campus will comprise two state-of-the-art data centers with a combined 32 megawatts (MW) of critical IT capacity across 10,000 square meters (108,000 square feet). The first phase of construction is expected to be completed and operational by spring 2026.
David Howson, President of EMEA at Vantage Data Centers, emphasized Milan’s strategic importance to the company’s European network. “Expanding our Italian footprint in Greater Milan marks a strategic move for Vantage. Milan’s extensive fiber network and location along major terrestrial backbones provide low-latency connectivity to key European hubs such as Zurich, Frankfurt, and Munich,” he said. “The region’s expanding digital ecosystem and competitive market dynamics make it an ideal location for global hyperscale growth. Our investment in MXP2 underscores Vantage’s commitment to delivering world-class, sustainable data center solutions that enable cloud and AI technologies.”
Vantage’s first Milan project, the MXP1 campus, established the company’s foundation in the Italian market. The addition of MXP2 strengthens its long-term commitment to the region and aligns with its broader European growth strategy.
The company’s multi-campus development initiatives have earned national recognition. The Italian Government recently classified Vantage’s data center projects as strategic infrastructure investments under Article 13 of Decree Law 104/2023, acknowledging their role in advancing the nation’s economic and digital transformation. As part of this program, Vantage plans to invest €4 billion (approximately $4.6 billion USD) in Italy and generate approximately 4,000 construction jobs over eight years, alongside 250 permanent positions upon completion.
According to a statement from the Italian Council of Ministers on October 2, Vantage’s investments in Italy are considered to be in the public interest. The government noted that such projects “aim to harness the potential of digital technologies, stimulate innovation and support economic growth in Europe; strengthen the country’s role in the European energy transition and digital resilience strategy; offer new skilled job opportunities and attract investment in research and development; promote innovative long-term projects capable of generating a lasting impact in the regions where they operate; and improve essential infrastructure such as transport networks, energy networks, and advanced connectivity services.”
Alfonso Romano, Vice President of Site Selection and Acquisition, EMEA at Vantage Data Centers, expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the broader impact of Vantage’s investments. “We appreciate the recognition from the Italian government to be part of the growth engine powering the next generation of technology in my country,” Romano said. “Our investments not only enable digital transformation but also contribute to economic growth, job creation, innovation, and sustainable opportunities for local communities.”
In line with Vantage’s global sustainability strategy, MXP2 is designed to be environmentally responsible and energy efficient. The project incorporates seven types of nature-based solutions (NbS) to manage stormwater sustainably and enhance biodiversity. These include permeable surfaces, sustainable urban drainage systems, vertical greenery, rain gardens, infiltration basins, and landscape integration. The campus will also feature a multi-species mitigation strip with diverse trees and flowering rustic meadows to support the local ecosystem and promote phytoremediation, the natural process of improving soil and air quality through plant-based solutions.
