"Two or three years ago, we didn't see this as often as a requirement. What we've seen recently is a huge uptick in corporate demand for mission-critical data center space and there's nothing available," Van Amburgh tells GlobeSt.com. Leading the way are financial corporations and right behind are Internet-driven companies that have been growing exponentially, particularly in their online sales. "They can't afford to have one day of no sales or activity because their website was down," he says.

Van Amburgh says data center-style requests focus on raised floors, back-up generators, redundant power systems, fiber optic lines and dual power grids. Data center construction can cost $50 million to $500 million depending on the systems, particularly the mechanical components.

Atkins, a LEED-certified professional, has acquired and developed 25 mission-critical properties in Dallas/Fort Worth. Van Amburgh says there will be three more added to his resume within 30 days when Koll unleashes details for mission-critical projects on sites in Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and the Arizona-Nevada border.

Van Amburgh isn't planning any spec construction of mission-critical space, but he's also not ruling it out for the future. The only way to make it profitable, though, would be to build shells with "the proper power, fiber and design, but empty on the inside," he says. "It's a consideration, but we have to be careful because each company's data center requirements are different. It's not prudent unless it's done as shell."