Blackstone’s QTS Fights to Save Historic Virginia Data Center Project

QTS Data Centers files a last-minute appeal to save the 2,100-acre PW Digital Gateway project in Prince William County despite local government withdrawal.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 2, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT

Source: Bisnow

A High-Stakes Legal Maneuver

The appeal follows a March 31 decision by the Virginia Court of Appeals that affirmed a lower court's ruling to scrap the county's rezoning of the site. QTS is specifically fighting to build 7.9 million square feet of data centers on an 812-acre portion of the gateway. The legal battle centers on claims that the county failed to provide adequate public notice for a crucial December 2023 hearing. QTS argues that the violations cited were "highly technical" and that opposition groups were fully aware of the proceedings, asserting that the project is vital for the county's economic future.

Economic Promise vs. Historic Preservation

At the heart of the conflict is a clash between modernization and historical preservation. The PW Digital Gateway would sit adjacent to the Manassas National Battlefield Park, sparking intense opposition from preservationists and environmental groups.

The Developer's Stance: QTS emphasizes that the project would bring tens of billions of dollars in investment, millions in annual tax revenue, and thousands of high-paying jobs to Prince William County.

The Opposition's Stance: Groups like the American Battlefield Trust argue that the data center sprawl would irreparably damage the historical integrity and natural landscape of the region.