Kao Data buys West London site for new data centre

Kao Data has acquired a 4.7-acre site in Park Royal, West London, for a new data centre on the former Frogmore Industrial Estate.

The brownfield site was bought from Reassure, and the company plans to redevelop the 107,000 sq ft plot into a facility that would expand its presence in one of the UK's main cloud and data centre markets.

London expansion

Plans are being developed with the Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation, local authorities and nearby residents. The project is intended to be designed, built and operated with a focus on environmental and energy efficiency standards.

The proposed development is part of Kao Data's wider UK expansion. It already has data centre sites in Harlow, Slough and Stockport, and the Park Royal location would add to its footprint in and around London.

Market demand

Park Royal has become an important industrial and logistics district for digital infrastructure groups because of its West London location and access to network connectivity. Demand in the capital remains strong from cloud providers, financial services firms, healthcare organisations and companies running artificial intelligence systems.

The new site is expected to be ready for service in 2029, subject to planning. Detailed proposals are due to be submitted as consultation continues.

The facility would support computing systems used in life sciences and healthcare research, artificial intelligence and financial services. Those sectors are among the UK's largest users of data centre space, particularly in the London market, where operators face pressure on land and power availability.

Community plans

Kao Data said it would continue engaging with local representatives and residents as the plans develop. It also highlighted community programmes around existing sites, including the Kao SEED Fund for Social Enterprise and Environment Development and the Kao Academy, which supports technology learning in schools.

The company also works with the Good Things Foundation on programmes aimed at helping communities access and understand newer technologies, including artificial intelligence. Similar local funding and grassroots projects could help shape the Park Royal development's long-term role in the area.

Brownfield focus

Brownfield redevelopment has become a common route for data centre operators seeking sites near major population centres, particularly in and around London, where land is scarce. Former industrial estates can offer space for large technical buildings while aligning with local regeneration plans.

For Kao Data, the acquisition extends a strategy focused on sites near major centres of digital demand. The company describes itself as a UK-headquartered developer and operator, with a portfolio that includes operational, planned and in-development capacity across several locations.

David Bloom, Founder and Executive Chairman of Kao Data, said the company wanted to balance infrastructure growth with local consultation as it advances the Park Royal scheme.

"Today's data centres are the engine rooms of the digital age, but it's vital that new developments work hand-in-hand with local stakeholders and are developed responsibly, with the community front of mind," said David Bloom, Founder and Executive Chairman of Kao Data. "Our acquisition of this former industrial site in Park Royal demonstrates our longstanding commitments to sustainable redevelopment, and we're excited to work closely with the OPDC to continue our expansion in West London."