This is the LSC Communications Lancaster East facility at 216 Greenfield Rd. In Lancaster city Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.
Blaine Shahan / LNP | LancasterOnline
New owner plans AI data centers in former Donnelley-LSC printing plants in Lancaster
By Chris Reber/LNP | LancasterOnline
Blaine Shahan / LNP | LancasterOnline
This is the LSC Communications Lancaster East facility at 216 Greenfield Rd. In Lancaster city Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.
Data centers for artificial intelligence and cloud computing are proposed inside two former LSC Communications/R.R. Donnelley printing plants in Lancaster city, according to a private investor group that recently purchased the properties.
New York-based Machine Investment Group announced Wednesday morning that it purchased the properties at 216 Greenfield Road and 1375 Harrisburg Pike from LSC Communications. The locations combined have over 1.5 million square feet of industrial space sitting on a total of 144 acres of land. The sale price for the property wasn’t immediately available, and no deed has been filed for the sale in the county courthouse.
Machine’s other investments include offices, apartments and industrial spaces. It recently partnered to redevelop a former pharmaceutical company headquarters in New Jersey into data center and research facilities.
The investment group said in a statement that its concept involves a campus layout on each site, with data center space for users requiring large amounts of computing power, including AI. The statement said Machine plans to make unspecified upgrades to nearby utility infrastructure that will benefit surrounding properties.
“Through this acquisition and transformation, we will be establishing Lancaster as a technological hub to meet the increasing demand for the exponential growth in technology that is happening worldwide,” said Eric Rosenthal, co-founder of Machine Investment Group.
FROM 2023: Former LSC Communications site draws distribution center interest
FROM 2023: About 150 LSC Communications workers to stay on as it winds down Lancaster operations
Approximately 656 people lost their jobs when LSC ceased operations in the two buildings in 2023, citing decreased demand for print catalogs and magazines.
LSC’s CEO said in a statement that Machine’s data centers will build upon the legacy of the printing plants by delivering “the information of the future.”
Machine’s announcement quoted Lancaster city Mayor Danene Sorace as saying that the redevelopment is a win-win – something that the city has prioritized since learning that LSC planned to close, and an opportunity to make the city a destination for innovation, jobs and investment.
“LSC had a proud history in our community; a history that so many of our residents were part of creating. We are excited to support the transformation of these iconic properties into locations that will propel Lancaster into the future,” she said.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
