Tag: Mixed-Use Development

Another Downtown “Gem” Tops Out

From the Top 

The Pearl, a mixed-used development being constructed at 247 Pearl Street in downtown Fort Wayne, reached a significant milestone today with a festive steel topping out ceremony held at the construction site. The event marked the completion of the structural framework and symbolized the progress made on this exciting project. 

The crew building The Pearl

Weigand Construction and Surack Enterprises gathered to commemorate the placement of the final steel beam, which was signed by the construction crew as part of the ceremony. As the beam was lifted into place, adorned with an evergreen tree and an American flag, a sense of achievement and pride permeated the atmosphere. This moment marks a major milestone of the project, which has been in active construction since the spring of 2022. 

The Pearl will be another gem in our downtown.

Larry Weigand, CEO, Weigand Construction

The Tree and the Beam 

Larry gives some thoughts regarding the construction process

A time-honored tradition for hundreds of years, topping out ceremonies have been a staple of construction practiced by generations of builders across the globe. It is said that the pine tree, attached to the final beam, used to serve the purpose of signaling when wood frames were ready to cover, and symbolized. When the pine needles fell off the tree, it meant enough time passed for the timber to dry and cure. Though it is more symbolic than functional now, the pine tree is a special practice that binds its legacy to the builders that came before us. 

Down to the Numbers 

Throughout the course of the building phase, the construction crew at The Pearl has reached: 

The flag, banner, and tree getting lifted up with the beam
  • Over 11,000 yards of concrete poured to date. 
  • 50,000+ Weigand Construction man hours.
  • Over 100+ Field Staff on site and rising. 
  • 4000+ tons of rebar installed. 
  • Zero recordable accidents or safety incidents to date. 

By late summer in 2024, The Pearl will be completed, creating a new space for residents, employers, restaurants, and businesses to call home. It will feature: 

  • 76 Residential Apartments
  • 5 Live/Work Storefronts 
  • On-Site Residential Parking 
  • Mail and Delivery Hubspot 
  • On-Site Fitness Center 

“It’s going to be a further expansion of the downtown and particularly of The Landing.” – Chuck Surack, Founder and CEO, Surack Enterprises 

“Some of the tenants will take occupancy next year right around this time, and we are looking good as far as finishing up about a year from right now.” – Larry Weigand, CEO, Weigand Construction 

With the project’s slated completion date, we are eagerly anticipating the wonderful addition this will bring to the downtown skyline! 


Chuck Surack signing the beam
Chuck Surack, Lisa Surack, and Larry Weigand observe the beam
The banner signifying the union workers on the job
The final beam getting secured to the frame
Larry Weigand at the podium
The signal to raise the beam is given
The crew looks on as the ceremony commences
The final beam getting lowered
The crew listens during the ceremony

A Landmark Built to Serve Generations – Electric Works Opens to the Public

An Excerpt from Our December 2022 Newsletter

As we have secured our Certificate of Occupancy permits for over 700,000 square-feet of core and shell construction and are starting to move-in tenants like Do It Best, Medical Informatics, BSW Work Ready, Parkview, Carr Co-working, and Ferguson Advertising at Electric Works, I can’t help but think about the tremendous impact that this project has already had on our company, our community, and how it will affect the region well into the future. 

Through historic preservation, a mix of uses, and full-time active program management, Electric Works created an atmosphere where talent and businesses want to locate, stay, and grow. This environment, unique in the Midwest and the nation, is why EW is projecting over 1600 new and retained jobs in the first two phases.  

I am proud to say that over 90% of this project was performed by specialty contractors, vendors, suppliers, architects, engineers, consultants, and of course the hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen from our Fort Wayne and surrounding communities. This represented 3,637 jobs during construction and the payroll to go along with it. The direct and indirect financial impact was $463 Million during construction and will be $548 Million annually. It is such a win for us locally knowing all these dollars stayed in our community and will be reinvested in some way. 

The campus will be a vibrant part of our downtown with innovation space, office space, retail, Union Street Market with over twenty-five food vendors, restaurants/brewery, live entertainment and much more. I am so proud that our company was an integral part of the success of this redevelopment project because it is truly a “Landmark that will impact the lives and communities we serve.” 

LW

Larry Weigand
Owner and CEO