The Pearl opens in downtown Fort Wayne
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Officials in Fort Wayne cut the ribbon Wednesday on the The Pearl in the city’s downtown. The $50 million mixed-use development includes 76 apartments, five live-work units, a 300-person event space, and 12,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space.
The project at 248 W. Main Street was developed by Surack Enterprises, owned by Sweetwater Sound founder Chuck Surack and his wife, Lisa.
Surack told our partners at WPTA-TV that he and his wife were happy to give back to the community that “has been incredibly good to us.”
“Seeing it on paper is one thing, but when you see it come to life, it’s just incredible,” Surack said.
Plans for The Pearl were first announced in February 2022. Applications for individuals interested in living at the complex are still being accepted, and the first retail tenant, Crescendo Coffee, is now open as well.
Another tenant, Ducky’s at The Pearl, is set to open later this fall and feature a full-service family restaurant and duckpin bowling.
But Surack said it’s the seventh floor of the building that he is most excited about.
“I love the whole building; it’s just done so well, but the seventh floor is particularly special. We have a green space up there, and you can look down Main Street. It’s just a beautiful view. There’s a pool table, a ping pong table, and there’s greenspace with a grill, all kinds of stuff.”
Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker said she believes The Pearl will provide added benefits for the city.
“Our skyline downtown is definitely changing and its changing for the good, so that we can welcome people to our community which ultimately helps build our economy,” Tucker said. “We have a new place to brag about.”
The Pearl adds to a series of major developments opened in downtown Fort Wayne over the last several years, including the Electric Works mixed-use innovation district, The Bradley hotel, and The Riverfront at Promenade Park.