This study aims to analyze data center development projects in South Korea from the perspective of real estate development and finance, and to evaluate their potential as alternative investment assets. Unlike previous research, which has predominantly...
This study aims to analyze data center development projects in South Korea from the perspective of real estate development and finance, and to evaluate their potential as alternative investment assets. Unlike previous research, which has predominantly focused on information and communication technology (ICT) or industrial policy, this study redefines data centers as a type of special-purpose real estate and examines their development and financial structures in a systematic manner. The research employs literature review, market analysis, and case studies, comparing Hyperscale Build-to-Suit projects with Multi-tenant Colocation developments to identify structural characteristics, revenue models, and risk profiles.
The findings indicate that data centers function as hybrid assets that heavily depend on technical infrastructure—particularly power and network capacity—while providing stable long-term cash flows through extended lease agreements. Hyperscale-oriented developments exhibit advantages in project financing accessibility, cash flow stability, and reduced vacancy risk, although they involve considerable technical and development risks due to stringent specifications. Conversely, Colocation projects benefit from tenant diversification but involve greater uncertainty during the initial lease-up phase. These outcomes suggest that data centers can serve as valuable components of institutional alternative investment portfolios and highlight the need for improved power infrastructure planning and regional decentralization policies.
While the study offers academic contributions by establishing a real estate–oriented analytical framework for data center development, it acknowledges limitations related to the lack of quantitative empirical analysis and the rapid pace of technological change, which should be addressed in future research.
Keywords: Data center, alternative investment, real estate development, project finance, Hyperscale, Colocation