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Electric Works to Open Next Year

By Peggy Werner

Fort Wayne’s former General Electric Company campus is being transformed into a modern-day mixed-use district called Electric Works that’s one of the largest projects of its kind in the Midwest and an important addition to Fort Wayne’s downtown. After five years of work, the countdown has begun toward opening the first phase next year.

“We’re almost 70 percent pre-leased on the west campus, which will be open to the public in about one year. Not all tenants will be in, but the buildings will be move-in ready,” says Jeff Kingsbury of Ancora, the lead developer of Electric Works. “We’ve been planning, putting together financing, and working with the community over the past five years to bring this project to life. We’re hoping it will be a center of gravity and a hub for innovation, energy, and culture for Northeast Indiana, while also being an inspiration for future job growth and more.”

In 2017, RTM Ventures LLC, a partnership led by Ancora and based in Durham, NC, acquired the former General Electric manufacturing campus, which consists of 39 acres and 18 historic buildings with 1.2 million square feet of space. The redevelopment of the GE campus and repurposing of its buildings and grounds is a public/private partnership between RTM Ventures and the City of Fort Wayne. The property is within easy walking distance of the downtown and riverfront.

The project is divided into numerous phases, the first having begun in January 2021 with an expected completion date in late 2022. The $286 million first phase includes more than 700,000 square feet of space for offices, education, healthcare, retail, entertainment and other community uses.

The $126 million second phase is still in planning stages and will include 297 apartments, an early childhood learning center, a fitness/wellness center, commercial space and a 1,141-space parking garage.

In June 2020, the Fort Wayne Community School Board approved a 10-year lease for the development of a new Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math high school (STEAM) at Electric Works, named Amp Lab. ❚

The 39-acre former General Electric manufacturing campus includes 18 historic buildings with 1.2 million square feet of space.