Adds 107,000 sq ft to the existing 140,000 sq ft IBX; new space will offer direct access to more than 60 networks, 120 enterprises & content companies.

Equinix, Inc., the provider of data centers and Internet exchange services, today announced the acquisition of additional data center space in the Chicago market to accommodate growth from regional businesses, including leading companies in the financial trading exchange industry.

The new data center space is located in the Lakeside Technology Center, the same facility as the company's existing Chicago Internet Business Exchange center, and it will add approximately 107,000 square feet to the existing 140,000 square foot IBX. Acquired through the purchase of assets and a sub-lease from Verio, Inc., the built-out portion of the expansion adds space for 1,100 sellable cabinets. The new space will offer direct access to more than 60 networks and 120 enterprises and content companies already operating within Equinix's Chicago IBX, a principal element of Equinix's value proposition. Equinix intends to begin placing new customers in the expanded space at the Chicago IBX in the first half of 2006.

"A significant driver of today's expansion is the strong traction with Chicago's financial trading exchange community, which has come to rely on Equinix to support the growing IT infrastructure and interconnection requirements of electronic exchanges," said Peter Van Camp, CEO of Equinix. "This expansion in Chicago, combined with our recent expansion in Silicon Valley, is an important contributor to solidifying our market leadership position with the potential to create a company that can generate annual revenues in excess of $500 million."

Equinix intends to invest approximately $16.0 million to bring it up to Equinix's standards, of which $4.0 to $7.0 million will be incurred in 2005.