JLL: Quantum computing to shape data centre design

Real estate markets should prepare for a new class of specialised data centres as quantum computing nears commercial viability, according to a new report from global property firm JLL.

The report, The Future of Quantum Real Estate, outlines the architectural and engineering requirements for facilities designed to support quantum technologies—warning that standard data centre designs will be insufficient to accommodate the next generation of high-performance computing.

Annual investment in quantum computing is projected to grow from US$2–3 billion today to as much as US$20 billion by 2030, driven by the expectation of a commercially viable quantum computer within the decade. JLL likens current investment trends to those seen in artificial intelligence in the early 2010s, suggesting the real estate sector may face a similar wave of demand as quantum systems become more widely deployed.

“We are standing at the threshold of a new era for specialised real estate,” said Andrew Batson, Head of Data Center Research, Americas, at JLL. “Quantum facilities demand more than just power and space - they require environments engineered for near-perfect isolation.”

JLL predicts that future computing infrastructure will follow a hybrid model, with classical and quantum systems housed in the same building but separated by design. These facilities will require:

Electromagnetic shielding to prevent disruption of qubits

Advanced cryogenic cooling to maintain low temperatures

Dedicated rooms with high environmental control to minimise noise and vibration

The Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Germany is cited as an example of this model, integrating quantum hardware in a physically distinct but co-located setup with classical systems.

In the short term, new development is expected to cluster in established quantum hubs—regions with strong research institutions, government backing, and specialist labour pools. These factors are currently considered more important than proximity to traditional data centre markets.

Over time, however, the report forecasts a shift toward major cloud infrastructure regions, particularly if “Quantum-as-a-Service” (QaaS) models become the norm. Co-location with AI and cloud platforms could streamline operations and reduce costs.

“A breakthrough in quantum utility would trigger rapid changes in data centre strategy,” said Daniel Thorpe, Head of Data Center Research, EMEA, at JLL. “Understanding the ecosystems and building specifications now is critical to maintaining a competitive position.”

JLL concludes that real estate firms with early technical knowledge and partnerships in the quantum sector are likely to secure a first-mover advantage. Unlike traditional data centre development, quantum-ready facilities will require precision engineering and site selection strategies tailored to emerging technological constraints.

As demand builds, the report urges developers and investors to begin planning for a fundamentally different kind of computing environment; one where conventional real estate assumptions may no longer apply.