Ffifteenfortyseven Critical Systems Realty (1547) and Harrison Street have teamed up to acquire Hawaii’s largest carrier-neutral data centre from GI Partners.
The pair has acquired DRFortress for an undisclosed sum. The existing DRFortress leadership team will remain, with founders Fred Rodi and Rosa White continuing to oversee daily operations.
GI Partners initially acquired a majority interest in DRFortress in January 2020, partnering with Rodi and White. During GI Partners’s ownership, DRFortress has expanded its colocation capacity.
J Todd Raymond, CEO and MD of 1547, said: “Hawaii serves as a strategic gateway for connectivity in the Pacific, and DRFortress has established itself as a vital interconnection hub for businesses and global networks alike.
“By bringing DRFortress into our connectivity-focused platform, we’re expanding customer access to cloud providers, submarine cable systems, and international markets – while maintaining its carrier-neutral foundation and continuing to scale to meet growing demand.”
Michael Borchetta, MD at Harrison Street, said: “Investing in essential digital infrastructure that meets the growing demand for secure, high-capacity interconnection is core to our strategy.
“DRFortress plays a significant role in supporting businesses across Hawaii and the broader APAC [Asia-Pacific] region, and we look forward to working alongside 1547 to expand its services.”
Mark Prybutok, MD and head of data infrastructure at GI Partners, said: “Over the past five years, we’ve been proud to support DRFortress’s growth as Hawaii’s leading interconnection hub.
“Fred, Rosa, and the entire DRFortress team have built an exceptional platform, and we are confident that 1547 and Harrison Street are the right development partners to lead its continued success.”
White, co-president and CFO of DRFortress, said: “This next chapter with 1547 and Harrison Street represents a great opportunity for DRFortress and our customers.
“With added scale, investment and expertise, we’ll be able to expand our services and reach while staying true to our mission of delivering world-class infrastructure solutions to businesses throughout Hawaii.”
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