After four years of development and construction, Ash Brokerage officially opened its new headquarters in downtown Fort Wayne’s Ash Skyline Plaza Wednesday afternoon.
Ground was broken on the site about two years ago, and now Ash’s 65,000 square-foot complex is complete and filled with cubicles, coffee bars and even a ping pong table.
Ash Brokerage CEO Tim Ash says there were three primary reasons why he chose to establish his new location in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne.
“We did it for these people on the rail; it starts there,” said Ash, referring to the many Ash Brokerage employees looking on at the ceremony. “We did it for this community, because I care about it, and it’s cared for us for 45 years of existence. Third, I care about our industry, and I want this to be a place where people come to Fort Wayne, not leave.”
Ash also knows his company won’t be the last to consider a large-scale development downtown, and advises thoughtfulness in the process.
“There are going to be more bold projects like this one presented,” he said. “And this can’t be about politics. This has to be about people. Okay?”
Mayor Tom Henry was also on hand for the ceremony. He says with Ash’s resume, he could have located his corporation’s headquarters anywhere. Mayor Henry says Ash’s decision to develop in Fort Wayne is important to keep the city moving forward.
“It had been decades since a headquarters -- much less a national headquarters -- had made the decision to call downtown Fort Wayne its home,” said Henry. “We were beginning to experience some excitement and momentum in our downtown, and we wanted that to continue. But it was going to take an investment like Ash Brokerage to do just that.”
Henry lauded Ash for his enthusiasm in establishing the Ash Brokerage Headquarters downtown, and the patience he showcased during the four-year process.
“If ever there was an emerging leader in our community, my friends, it’s Tim Ash.”
Weigand Construction was signed on to build Fort Wayne’s newest complex, and completed the effort just shy of two years after breaking ground. CEO Larry Weigand says Ash Brokerage wasn’t the first potential tenant, but in time, it made sense.
“This project could have been anywhere in the country,” said Weigand. “But after a downtown developer out of Baltimore decided [Ash Skyline Plaza] wasn’t the right fit for him, Tim and I said, ‘This could be the right fit for Ash Brokerage.’ And the rest is history.”
Weigand also praised the private-public partnership with the City of Fort Wayne, who helped provide the new 1,200 space Skyline Garage attached to Ash Skyline Plaza.
Ash uses his success to encourage an open mind as the Fort Wayne seeks future downtown development.
“There’s no city in America that’s considered great that doesn’t have a great downtown. Name one. You won’t find one,” Ash said. “So our leadership in government: align, unite. Find a way to say yes to the right projects and get behind them.”
The Ash Brokerage Headquarters also features a three-story atrium, outdoor terraces on the north and south ends looking out to downtown, and its design allows all employees to be within 50 feet of a window.
