Data centres overtake offices in US construction shift as AI demand rises

By Maria Irene · 20 Mar 2026

Construction trends in the United States are shifting, with data centres now surpassing office buildings in total value under development for the first time on record.

New figures show data centre construction has reached $45.1 billion, marking a 29 per cent increase over the past year. In contrast, office construction has fallen to $43.5 billion, a 13 per cent drop and its lowest level since late 2015.

The divergence has become more pronounced over the past two years. Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the value of data centres under construction has risen sharply, while office development has continued to decline.

The figures reflect a broader shift in how infrastructure investment is being directed. Demand for computing power, cloud services and artificial intelligence systems has placed new pressure on data storage and processing capacity, driving increased spending on large-scale facilities.

At the same time, office construction has struggled to regain momentum following changes in workplace habits. Remote and hybrid working models have reduced demand for traditional office space in many parts of the country, prompting developers to reassess projects and future pipelines.

Analysts point to artificial intelligence as a key factor shaping this trend. As businesses expand their use of AI tools, the need for high-performance computing infrastructure has grown, feeding into the rapid expansion of data centre projects.

While the shift highlights where investment is currently flowing, some observers note that it also raises questions about energy use, land requirements and long-term sustainability. Data centres are resource-intensive, and their rapid expansion has sparked discussions around power supply and environmental impact.

For now, the balance between office and data centre construction offers a clear signal of changing priorities across the US economy, with digital infrastructure taking a more central role as technology adoption accelerates.