Cushman & Wakefield Data Centre Update Hong Kong, China Autumn 2020

COVID-19 Driving Growing Demand for Data

Despite the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and COVID-19 outbreak, activity in the Hong Kong data center market has remained red hot. In one of the largest leasing transactions this year, US-based data center REIT Digital Realty announced in early July that it agreed to lease a newly completed purpose-built data center at 11 Kin Chueng Street in Kwai Chung as the operator’s second facility in the city.

COVID-19 Driving Growing Demand for Data

Despite the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and COVID-19 outbreak, activity in the Hong Kong data center market has remained red hot. In one of the largest leasing transactions this year, US-based data center REIT Digital Realty announced in early July that it agreed to lease a newly completed purpose-built data center at 11 Kin Chueng Street in Kwai Chung as the operator’s second facility in the city.

The third wave of the virus outbreak in Hong Kong saw MNCs suspending their back-to-office plans and requesting their staff to work from home. It is anticipated that even in the aftermath of the pandemic that many companies will continue to allow some level of remote working, which will in turn accelerate the pace of digital transformation of businesses in all aspects and lead to a surge in demand for cloud usage. Hong Kong’s impending introduction of 5G will also drive more usage of data, which in turn, will translate into increased demand for rack spaces in the city. Reflective of this, a handful of PRC and international operators remain on the active lookout for suitable leasing or investment opportunities in the city.