5-C Filed Permit for Memphis Data Center
A $575 million investment will transform a former corporate headquarters into a massive data facility.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Data Centers
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The firm 5-C has filed a $575 million construction permit to convert the former Fred's headquarters on Getwell Road into a new data center. This project is expected to generate more than 250 jobs for the Memphis area.
Why it matters
The investment marks a significant repurposing of commercial real estate in Memphis, signaling a pivot toward digital infrastructure. By converting an existing large-scale facility, the project aims to stimulate local economic growth through substantial capital expenditure.
The permit covers the renovation of roughly half of the 1.1 million-square-foot site located on Getwell Road. The total investment value for the project is confirmed at $575 million.
The players
5-C
The company is the primary developer behind the proposed data center project in Memphis.
Fred's
This former retail pharmacy chain previously utilized the facility on Getwell Road as its corporate headquarters.
The details
The project will renovate a portion of the former Fred's headquarters to house modern data center equipment. This construction effort is slated to create over 250 jobs within the local Memphis community.
Timeline
The permit for the data center project was filed on October 6, 2026.
The Tech Race
The project represents a broader shift in the tech sector, where companies increasingly repurpose existing large-scale industrial footprints rather than building new facilities from the ground up. This strategy allows for faster deployment of server capacity to keep pace with the rapidly expanding demand for data storage and processing power.
The primary benefit for local residents is the creation of over 250 new jobs associated with the site's operation and construction. This development also serves to revitalize a large, otherwise dormant commercial building on Getwell Road.
The takeaway
Large-scale infrastructure projects like this one often prioritize existing square footage to reduce the environmental and financial costs of new construction. Residents should monitor local job postings as the project progresses toward the construction phase.
Further reading
For additional context on regional industry growth, explore the Data Centers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Actionnews5.
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