What’s it really like to live in downtown Fort Wayne?

As new apartment complexes and mixed-use developments continue to reshape Fort Wayne’s skyline, a growing number of residents are choosing to call downtown home. But what is it really like to live in the urban core? 

For many, the appeal of downtown lies in its walkability and proximity to work and entertainment venues. Mark Everetts, a recent resident of the Skyline Tower, finds the location ideal. He recently sold his historic bungalow in Historic Southwood Park and was looking for a place to land until he figures out his longer-term housing plans.

“This…definitely…made the most sense in terms of, ‘Okay, what’s next?'” he says.  

One reason the location is attractive is that it’s just two blocks from his office at the University of Saint Francis’ downtown campus. The ability to easily access the city’s offerings on foot was another major draw. Specifically, he enjoys walking to the YLNI Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Brett Gauger lives at The Riverfront at Promenade Park. He first moved downtown in 2018 and rented an apartment at Skyline Tower. Having worked downtown since 2017, his initial motivation was to be closer to his employer. Looking back, he agrees that the activated urban core has transformed the city for the better.

“I always say Parkview Field saved downtown Fort Wayne, and it became a gateway into creating a downtown where people want to live, work, learn, and play,” Gauger says.

He describes the downtown and Riverfront areas as vibrant destinations that reflect bookends like The Landing and Parkview Field, which contribute to an “engaging, fun…walkway throughout downtown.” He says he personally makes the most of downtown living by carving out time for dragon boat races, activities on The Landing, Fort Wayne TinCaps games, festivals at Headwaters Park, the YLNI Farmers Market, Fort4Fitness races, and other high-profile events.

Downtown’s wide appeal has attracted a diverse mix of people. Gauger has neighbors who — like Everetts — sold their homes in the popular ’07 neighborhood to move downtown, as well as transplants from across the country.

“It’s been really neat to observe local residents moving downtown], but also those who are moving here as transplants,” Gauger says.

As a longtime downtown renter and cheerleader, Gauger is eager to witness its next chapter of growth. He’s optimistic about the Eddy, Treeline District, Lofts at Headwaters Parks, new developments on The Landing, The Elex, and the new Mitchell’s/Flashbacks, to name a few.

One project in particular has him hopeful. “I’m very excited for our riverfront development. “It’s been exciting to get a front row viewpoint of it all,” he adds.

This collective excitement seems to be translating into tangible results. Despite online chatter questioning the demand for downtown housing, the numbers suggest a different reality. As Everetts shares, to his knowledge, apartment buildings are often at or near full capacity. In his words, “If it [were] too expensive, there’d be a ton of empty units, and there’s just not. Clearly, there’s a need, because the numbers show.”

Data supplied by the city of Fort Wayne’s community development division affirms Everetts’ hunch. A recent housing study surveyed 10 properties representing approximately 1,600 rental units total. Half are at or above 95 percent occupancy or functional full occupancy, three properties were above 91 percent, and two recently built properties were in lease-up. The same recent study shows that the downtown area can absorb 211 to 263 new rental units each year in multi-family buildings for the next five years, or approximately 1,055 to 1,315 total over five years.

This high demand comes with a hefty price tag that some residents are already feeling.

“The level that the rent is climbing is…atrocious,” Gauger says. “It’s sad, because…it really turns away some people [who] really would love to live downtown.”

For context, as Downtown Fort Wayne explains, The Landing does have designated affordable housing units with an option to be placed on a waitlist, but the supply doesn’t always meet the demand.

Speaking of financial pressures, Danielle Smith*, who lives at a downtown luxury apartment complex near her workplace, has also felt squeezed. She says she was recently driven out of Three Rivers Apartments, in part, because of the climbing rates.

“They were raising their rent a lot. Like, up until the last renewal of notice, they were raising [monthly rates] $200 a pop,” she says, adding that the rent hike didn’t reflect enough improvements or upgrades.

At Randall Lofts, Smith faced a different set of challenges. She says bats and bugs were recurring problems, and the old building’s thin walls meant she could hear nearly everything from her neighbors.

In contrast, Everetts and Gauger have largely had a positive experience with the apartment management, but they do cite other concerns about living downtown. 

“The iconic line that you’ve heard…is downtown needs something like a grocery store, and that is something I think is well needed,” Gauger says.

While farmers markets and the nearby 3Rivers Food Co-op exist, residents are often forced to drive to suburban stores for regular shopping. The now-defunct GK Cafe & Provisions on West Berry Street did sell some basics, but not enough to compete with the grocery store chains.

Everetts recalls discussions from his time living in Nashville about the minimum threshold of 10,000 residents needed to attract a major grocer. While he doesn’t think a large store is necessary yet, he suggests a Dollar General might help fill some of the gaps.

Beyond groceries, Gauger points out other shortcomings. Sundays can be a challenge when “nothing is open,” and he sees a need for more quick-service restaurants and local fitness options beyond the YMCA’s two downtown locations.

Safety is another topic with mixed opinions. However, in August, WANE 15 reported that overall crime within the Downtown Patrol District fell by nearly 5% in 2025 compared to 2024 statistics.

Everetts, who’s lived in larger cities, feels downtown Fort Wayne is relatively safe.

“It’s perspective,” he says. “I’ve been to a lot of places that are, ‘holy shit, get me the…out of here.’ I’ve never been anywhere in Fort Wayne where I thought that.”

Smith finds the downtown area to be “generally safe enough,” but exercises caution. 

“I’m not sure that I would be keen on randomly walking around at 2 a.m.,” she says.

Gauger offers a more nuanced view.

“Overall, I do feel safe, but there are times when I don’t feel safe,” he says, citing a friend being attacked on the Rivergreenway in daylight.

He feels his biggest threat, though, is from vehicles.

“I walk to work every day, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost been hit by a vehicle…that’s almost a weekly occurrence.”

For those considering the move, the consensus is that it’s a lifestyle that requires trade-offs — trading a yard for a balcony, affordability for convenience, and quiet nights for the city’s hum.

As Everetts puts it, “It’s not right for everybody, but…it’s super pleasant. It’s fun.”

* The source’s name was changed to protect her privacy.

This story is made possible by support from Downtown Fort Wayne.