Global data centre provider Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR) has nabbed 162 and 163 Radnor Drive, a 30,250 square meter development site, in Melbourne for a purchase price of approximately AU $4.1 million. This represents the second acquisition in Australia for Digital Realty Trust.

The company plans to build two data hubs on the Paramount Industrial Park development to support a total of six 1440 kilowatt data centres PODs or performance optimised data centres.

"As one of Australia's largest metro areas, Melbourne is the logical market for us to expand our footprint in the region," said Michael F. Foust, Chief Executive Officer for Digital Realty Trust.

"Like Sydney, Melbourne has a limited supply of data centre space available to meet customer demand for highly reliable, flexible and secure facilities."

Kris Kumar, Regional Head, Asia Pacific, Digital Realty Trust said the company has been actively engaged in discussions with a number of serious prospects in Melbourne prior to completing this acquisition.

"At the same time, we have been building out our operating platform in Australia with the addition of several new local team members,” he said.

"With our Australian staff in place, we will be able to deliver secure, reliable and cost effective data centre solutions to customers that are expanding their IT operations in the region.

“Consistent with our typical development timeline, we expect a twelve month construction period to complete the first building's shell and core and the first two 1440 kW Turn-Key Datacentre PODs," Mr Kumar said.