Underground data center planned near Nazareth, Israel

Nazareth datacenter

A group of companies including one run by a popstar are planning an underground data center in Israel.

First reported by Calcalist, Swiss fund Lian Group has partnered with Europe-Israel Group and P.A.I. to build a NIS 400 million ($122.5 million) underground facility on a 6.25-acre site in the northern city of Afula.

The group purchased land just south of Nazareth for NIS 80 million ($24.5 million) six months ago. Construction is set to begin at the end of the year and be completed in 4-5 years. The group is reportedly working with Spector Amisar Architects.

Lian Group’s investment portfolio includes BitFury, Spotify, Curve, and Zoom. The Europe-Israel Group buys and develops land, and is controlled by Maor and Snir Malul. P.A.I. is controlled by Omer and Yaniv Adam.

In 2009 Omer took part in the Israeli reality TV singing competition Kokhav Nolad, before being disqualified for being too young to participate – 15 years old – when he entered the competition. He has since released six albums and one EP.

Bynet Data Communications is building an underground data center for Oracle in Jerusalem. The facility is a 14,000 sq m (460,000 sq ft) bunker located below five parking levels and a 17-story building in the city’s Har Hotzvim tech hub. The data center extends over four floors at a depth of 50 meters (160 feet) below ground level.

Source: datacenterdynamics.com