Skybox Datacenters Round Rock
Proposed size
75 MW
Site area
30 ac
Building area
250,000 sq ft
Cooling
Closed-loop cooling (PUD-required)
Developer
Skybox Datacenters
Skybox Datacenters received unanimous Round Rock City Council approval on February 12, 2026 for a single 75 MW data center building on 29.69 acres near East Old Settlers Boulevard and N. A.W. Grimes Boulevard. This is Skybox's third facility in the greater Austin area (joining Pflugerville and Hutto). The PUD mandates closed-loop cooling and an electric substation on a separate parcel.
Water Impact
Daily water use (estimated range)
50 – 500 gal/day
Water returned per day
None reported
Per Closed-loop cooling required by PUD. Skybox stated water use equivalent to fewer than 5 households. Initial charge ~20,000 gallons (one-time)., based on Round Rock PUD condition per city council approval; Skybox statements confirmed via Community Impact and KVUE reporting.
vs. 5M gal/day (typical 400 MW facility)
The higher estimate is equivalent to the daily water use of approximately 5 households. San Marcos has approximately 25,000 households.
- Water intake
- 50 – 500 gal/day
- Lost to evaporation
- 100%
- Returned to system
- 0% (None reported)
Direct water figures are estimates from permit applications and developer disclosures. Indirect (power generation) figures are calculated estimates. Actual water use depends on technology choices, operating capacity, and weather conditions.
Location
Address: E Old Settlers Blvd & N A.W. Grimes Blvd, Round Rock, Williamson County, TX
Water source: City of Round Rock Water (Colorado River / LCRA basin)
Infrastructure
- Water provider
- City of Round Rock Water
- Power provider
- ERCOT / Oncor
Permitted — the decision is made, but conditions still matter
The primary decision cannot be undone, but the conditions attached to the approval can still be negotiated or enforced. Officials can be held accountable for permit violations. Community pressure matters for shaping how the project is operated and what monitoring is required.
Timeline
February 12, 2026
Round Rock City Council unanimously approves Skybox data center — city's ninth
Round Rock City Council unanimously approved the Skybox PUD rezoning ordinance on second reading after hours of public testimony. The approval authorizes a 75 MW, 250,000-sq-ft data center on 29.69 acres near E. Old Settlers Blvd and N. A.W. Grimes Blvd, with a mandatory closed-loop cooling system and an electric substation on a separate parcel. This was Round Rock's ninth approved data center.
Source →(opens in new tab)February 12, 2026
Residents pack Round Rock City Hall opposing Skybox data center approval
Hours of public comment preceded the February 12 council vote, with residents raising concerns about cumulative power demand, neighborhood compatibility, noise, and grid capacity. A citizen group ("Protect Round Rock") organized opposition and circulated a Change.org petition. Despite organized opposition, the council voted unanimously to approve.
Source →(opens in new tab)December 4, 2025
Round Rock City Council approves Skybox rezoning on first reading
Round Rock City Council approved the Skybox Old Settlers PUD rezoning ordinance on first reading at the December 4, 2025 council meeting, advancing the application to a required second reading and final vote.
Source →(opens in new tab)November 5, 2025
Round Rock P&Z Commission grants preliminary approval for Skybox PUD
The Round Rock Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed Skybox's PUD application (PUD25-00009) on November 5, 2025 and recommended approval. Following a neighborhood meeting, the PUD was amended to limit the campus to one building, 250,000 sq ft, 60 ft height, and 75 MW of grid-interconnected power.
Source →(opens in new tab)
Documents
Sources
- 1. Skybox secures approval for data center in Round Rock, Texas — Data Center Dynamics, 2026-02-12. Link →(opens in new tab)
- 2. After hours of public debate, Round Rock council approves data center zoning — Community Impact, 2026-02-12. Link →(opens in new tab)
- 3. Round Rock City Council approves proposed Skybox AI data center — KVUE, 2026-02-12. Link →(opens in new tab)
- 4. Skybox Round Rock — datacentermap.com — datacentermap.com, 2026-04-20. Link →(opens in new tab)
Community Notes
This was Round Rock's ninth data center approval. Strong resident opposition raised concerns about cumulative power demand and neighborhood compatibility. Closed-loop cooling PUD requirement limits water consumption to near zero. Oncor must confirm grid capacity before construction can begin.