Mayor, Developers Celebrate Topping Out of Harrison Square's Final Piece
Fort Wayne, Ind. – With a symbolic nod to good fortune and new growth, Mayor Tom Henry today joined forces with Simon Dragan, Mark Hagerman and Chris Schoen, the principals of New Harrison, LLC, to host topping-out festivities for The Harrison. The residential, retail and office building is the final piece of Harrison Square, Fort Wayne's signature downtown development.
The milestone event commemorated the completion of The Harrison's highest point of construction. Honoring tradition, project workers and the public were invited to take part in the community celebration by signing the structure's last section, specifically the roof of the east stair tower. In true topping-out fashion, the section was capped with a pine tree and the American flag. The roof segment was then elevated into place at the close of the ceremony.
Adding to the day's significance, The Harrison's development team used the topping out to focus attention on the issue of breast cancer awareness. Many of the construction crew and guests participating in the event wore bright pink gear to highlight the cause.
"With today's topping out, The Harrison has reached new heights," said Mayor Henry. "Soon, this construction site will be filled with new residents, new businesses and new opportunity. Together, we are realizing our vision for a vibrant downtown, a catalyst for making Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana more attractive to the good jobs, talented workers and business investment that we need to thrive. Together, we are creating a Fort Wayne built for success."
Taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, The Harrison remains on track to meet its 14-month construction timeline. Residential units are now anticipated to be ready as early as February 2013.
"The Harrison is hitting its marks," noted Dragan, New Harrison partner and President of Whitley Manufacturing Company, Inc. "Our entire team is thrilled that the project continues to make outstanding progress, already contributing to the new vitality in downtown Fort Wayne. We are proud to be a part of the new energy and expanding potential in our community."
"Just over six months ago, we looked toward the earth and began construction on The Harrison. Today, we are touching the sky," observed Hagerman, New Harrison partner and CEO of The Hagerman Group. "This history-making project is helping to change the face of Fort Wayne and enhance our region's ability to compete. We are truly building for the future."
"The Harrison affords spectacular views and one-of-kind spaces," stated Schoen, New Harrison partner and Managing Principal with Greenstone Properties. "Now, seeing is believing. The Harrison has become an appealing reality, and the chance to experience it awaits. With this milestone met, the positive impact of Harrison Square continues to grow, yielding great returns for the entire community."
The Harrison occupies a strategic location on the southeast corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Ewing Street, commanding a singular vista of Parkview Field. Its curved façade defines a prime visual gateway to Harrison Square. Spanning four stories, The Harrison offers a unique, mixed-use setting for living, working and playing in the heart of the city.
The first floor puts the action at street level with options for retail shops and commercial ventures. The second floor encompasses a distinctive, professional office environment. Floors three and four are home to 43 beautifully appointed apartments, showcasing contemporary features and luxury finishes. Each residence comes with the built-in excitement of either a sweeping view of the downtown skyline or a front-row seat on the action in the ballpark. Altogether, The Harrison comprises nearly 100,000 square feet of leasable space.
As The Harrison has risen from the ground, so has interest in this exceptional property. Currently, the executed residential leases number in the significant double digits. Moreover, the development team expects to announce additional retail leases shortly.
Those who wish to learn more about the exclusive opportunities for urban living or commercial space at The Harrison should contact Breck Geeting with BND Commercial Real Estate at (260) 407-0900 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information about The Harrison, check online at www.theharrisonbnd.com.
Against the towering backdrop of the new structure, Mayor Henry and the investors also recognized The Harrison's three confirmed commercial tenants:
· Carson Boxberger, LLP, a longstanding downtown law firm, committed to the entire second floor, totaling 24,000 square feet of space;
· 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, a regional financial-services provider, taking 3,800 square feet of space; and
· O'Reilly's Irish Bar, an Indianapolis-based establishment new to northeast Indiana, reserving 4,000 square feet of space.
"As one of the first local businesses to embrace The Harrison, 3Rivers is excited and energized as yet another milestone is reached, bringing this landmark facility closer to completion," underscored Jeff Meyer, President/CEO, 3Rivers Federal Credit Union. "We eagerly await our branch opening prior to the end of 2012 and look forward to being able to deliver the unique 3Rivers experience to all of our members in the downtown Fort Wayne area."
Along with the principals in New Harrison, the other members of The Harrison's development team were acknowledged, as well:
· PNC, the lead bank in supplying financing for the project;
· Design Collaborative, a local, downtown architectural and engineering firm serving as the designer for the building; and
· Hagerman Construction Corporation, a nearly century-old Fort Wayne construction company acting as the general contractor for the project.
The preliminary economic impact of The Harrison indicates that during the initial stage of the project, about 55 construction jobs have been created. In total, this phase of Harrison Square represents an estimated $18.5 million worth of private investment in the city center. This figure significantly surpasses the $14.5 million expenditure required by the City of Fort Wayne for The Harrison.
The Harrison is the finishing component of Harrison Square, the flourishing downtown development begun in 2006 that has become a major economic-activity generator for the entire region. The private-public initiative is composed of the record-breaking Parkview Field, home of the popular TinCaps; a hospitality-sector boosting Courtyard by Marriott hotel; a convenient 900-space parking garage; and the scenic Robert E. Meyers Park.