The construction of the Applied Digital’s Polaris Forge 1 campus in Ellendale, ND, is a significant undertaking in large-scale digital infrastructure delivery. Purpose-built to support the next generation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing, the three-building AI factory brings together scale, density, and speed in a way that demands exceptional coordination, adaptability and technical expertise. Rising to the challenge has showcased McGough’s capabilities as a premier builder of hyperscale data centers – able to execute complex, highly technical projects with the precision, coordination, and partnership required for success.
Few construction efforts are as demanding as building hyperscale facilities for high-density AI workloads. The three-building, 400-MW campus features significantly higher power densities to meet the needs of AI computing. As a result, site selection becomes critical. These facilities must be located where electricity is both abundant and affordable, which made Ellendale an ideal site. They also require advanced cooling systems, robust power backups, and the durability to withstand the elements. Just as important, speed to market is essential. Each facility must become fully operational as quickly as possible to meet the surging demand of businesses scaling their AI capabilities. At Polaris Forge 1, those demands were met effectively with the first 100-MW building achieving Ready for Service, on time.
Meeting these technical and logistical demands required McGough to mobilize and align one of the largest and most specialized workforces in its history. Over several years, thousands of craftworkers and subcontractors will have contributed to this gigawatt-class campus, all while operating within a rural community of just over 1,000 residents. That context added another layer of complexity, requiring careful coordination with local resources and regional partners.
As Applied Digital refined tenant needs and adapted to the rapidly evolving AI market, McGough continuously recalibrated schedules, systems, and workflows – adjusting in real time to meet evolving requirements.
In October 2025, the first building at Polaris Forge 1 welcomed its first tenant. This 369,000-SF, three-story facility has four data halls on the second and third floors, with central utilities, back-of-house functions, and the network core on the first floor. Four standalone generator buildings add another 80,000-SF to support resilient power delivery. The remaining two buildings on campus will be 940,000-SF, 150-MW structures featuring six data halls with integrated backup power systems. Energization for Polaris Forge 1-2 is scheduled for 2026, and construction is well underway on Polaris Forge 1-3.
Exceptional Performance on an Extraordinary Project
Delivering Polaris Forge 1 requires a construction approach as advanced as the AI infrastructure it supports. To meet that challenge, McGough scaled systems, workflows, and on-site operations that few contractors can match. The project balances a wide range of complex factors, including:
- Size of Project: Encompasses three buildings totaling 2.25 million SF with a combined capacity of 400 MW of critical power. Thousands of workers operate across a vast campus with highly complex interdependencies between teams.
- Speed to Market: The initial building was completed in just 16 months, with the full campus scheduled to complete in approximately three years – roughly four times faster than typical commercial projects of similar size and budget.
- Multi-Story, High-Density Design: Three-story, high-density structure designed with heavily reinforced walls and floors, including crowned floor slabs engineered to level under full equipment load, exceeding typical data center standards.
- Advanced Cooling: Buildings on campus use both direct-to-chip liquid cooling and air-cooling systems for server environments, requiring construction that accommodates highly specialized equipment and infrastructure.
- Backup Power: Scores of generators and significant on-site fuel storage are required to ensure reliability.
- Flexible Planning: Construction started ahead of final tenant specifications, requiring constant iteration to align with Applied Digital’s AI and high-performance computing (HPC) requirements.
- Remote Location: Recruiting and supporting workers and subcontractors demand a unique approach that paired local labor with regional partners. Prefabrication is used extensively to streamline production and maintain quality on site.
- Subcontractor Engagement: Up to 1,400 people are on-site often, and more than 10,000 workers are expected to contribute over the project’s duration. Vetting, managing, and supporting subcontractors were vital to success.
- Community Impact: Partnering closely with community leaders and addressing resident concerns remain top priorities for Applied Digital and the project team.
How We Do It: Process, Partnership, People
McGough’s ability to support Applied Digital in realizing their ambitious vision is rooted in our core strengths: our people-first culture, our deep client partnerships, and the proven processes we have refined over decades of complex project delivery.
While Polaris Forge 1 demands constant innovation and adaptability, the fundamentals remain critical. Teams know precisely when to evolve, when to scale, and when to rely on the fundamentals that continue to drive results.
Our people-first culture has never been more evident than on this project. Mobilizing a large workforce to a remote location and maintaining the morale and retention achieved has been an extraordinary accomplishment.
Most importantly, the close partnership with Applied Digital, along with strong engagement from both on-site teams and leadership across McGough, has made it possible to successfully deliver, and continue delivering, on their vision for one of the most advanced data centers in the world.
