Upgrading Cooling in a High-Rise Data Center Without Taking It Offline

A data center in the Pacific Northwest is now operating with more reliable, higher-performing infrastructure to support ongoing mission-critical operations. This follows a technically complex cooling upgrade McKinstry delivered for a major global logistics company. The project maintained continuous temperature control throughout construction, protecting critical systems while strengthening long-term reliability.

The data center retrofit project was delivered as a design-build effort, with McKinstry providing engineering support through system design and permitting. Construction began in early 2026 following permit approval in January. The work wrapped up by the end of March, with installation sequenced to keep the data center online throughout the upgrade.

McKinstry’s scope included the replacement of 10 computer room air conditioning units, commonly known as CRAC units, serving a dedicated data center located on the seventh floor of the building. The floor housed server racks only and was unoccupied by personnel, making reliable temperature control essential to protecting sensitive equipment.

The new units were installed in the same locations as the original equipment, maintaining the existing cooling layout while improving system reliability and performance.

A key challenge was navigating the logistics of installing large mechanical equipment in a dense urban high-rise environment. As seen in the photos, McKinstry used the building’s fixed rooftop crane alongside a custom-fabricated rigging platform and a seventh-floor exterior opening to lift each unit from street level, guide it along the building’s exterior and roll it directly into the data center. Each unit was outfitted with wheeled assemblies before lifting to allow for controlled movement inside.

To reduce risk during crane picks, exterior panels were temporarily removed before lifting and reinstalled after the units were set in place. This approach helped protect the equipment while navigating tight clearances and maintaining safe working conditions.

Data centers demand precision, reliability and thoughtful planning. This project highlighted McKinstry’s ability to deliver critical infrastructure upgrades in constrained environments by combining engineering expertise, custom fabrication and coordinated field execution. Through this work, McKinstry supported the long-term reliability of the facility’s mission-critical cooling infrastructure.