Macquarie Asset Management announced on October 15, 2025, that it will divest Aligned Data Centers, a U.S.-based operator, to a consortium of investors including BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), and UAE-based MGX. The deal, which values Aligned at US$40 billion, surpasses the previous sector record set in 2024 when Blackstone acquired AirTrunk for US$25 billion.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.
Strategic Significance
- Scale and Growth: Under Macquarie’s ownership, Aligned expanded from two facilities in Dallas and Phoenix to a leading hyperscale operator with a global footprint.
- Sector Impact: The sale underscores the surging demand for digital infrastructure, driven by cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data‑intensive industries.
- Investor Confidence: The consortium’s backing reflects strong institutional appetite for long‑term exposure to the data centre sector, which is increasingly viewed as a critical utility.
Market Context
The deal highlights the escalating valuations in the data centre industry, where hyperscale capacity and energy efficiency are key differentiators. Analysts note that the transaction cements Macquarie’s reputation as a leading investor in digital infrastructure, having also been behind the AirTrunk sale.
Outlook
Aligned’s new owners are expected to inject significant capital to expand its North American and international operations, with a focus on sustainability and AI‑ready infrastructure. For Macquarie, the sale represents both a record exit and a reaffirmation of its strategy to recycle capital into emerging infrastructure opportunities.
In essence, the US$40 billion sale of Aligned Data Centers is more than a financial milestone—it signals the growing centrality of digital infrastructure in the global economy and the intensifying competition among investors to secure a stake in the sector’s future.
Sources: Macquarie Asset Management press release; DataCenterDynamics; AGBI; Globe Banner DatacenterDynamics Macquarie Group Limited Arabian Gulf Business Insight Globe Banner.
