Henderson Companies announced the opening of an office in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Chantilly, Va., its 15^th office nationwide. The new office serves as a regional base for its two subsidiaries: Henderson Engineers, whose focus is building systems design, and Henderson Building Solutions, which specializes in design-build construction management and commissioning. It’s a move primarily driven by a desire to better serve clients who own and operate mission critical facilities.

Henderson’s new office is right in the heart of what’s been dubbed “Data Center Alley.” According to the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the region has the highest concentration of data centers globally, enabling it to process 70% of the world’s internet traffic.

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“Our fastest growing project portfolio is mission critical facilities for some of the world’s leading technology companies, so it’s a natural move to have an office presence in the middle of the action,” says Kevin Lewis, CEO and president of Henderson Engineers and president of Henderson Companies. “We’re looking forward to continuing to provide the top-notch engineering and in-the-field construction expertise that clients know and expect from us. This goes hand in hand with being a constructive member of the D.C. business community by tapping into the amazing talent pool and delivering projects that enhance what it’s like to live and work in the region.”

Dan Rakes, regional director of mission critical, has been appointed to dually serve as Henderson’s Washington, D.C., office leader. Rakes is a 33-year veteran of the architecture, engineering, and construction industry with vast experience executing projects for the mission critical industry throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

“It’s an exciting time for the mission critical industry due to advancements like artificial intelligence, which is transforming how we design and build data centers,” explains Rakes. “There are also numerous aging data centers that have been in operation for the past couple of decades and need updates to their existing mechanical and electrical infrastructure so they can continue to operate at peak performance. Having a D.C. presence enhances the level of client service we provide as we guide owners and operators on how to navigate these developments.”

Beyond mission critical, this new office also focuses on other building types across the business, community, grocery and distribution, health, retail and venue sectors. The firm’s largest non-data center project in the region is the ongoing multibillion dollar expansion of Washington Dulles International Airport.