FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Swiss Re’s Fort Wayne office is moving downtown. The global risk management firm today announced plans to relocate into The Riverfront at Promenade Park development by the end of 2022. The move reflects the company’s commitment to its Fort Wayne location and its desire to create inspiring work environments that energize employees and bring the future of work forward. The company will invest about $4.9 million in its space and infrastructure by the end of 2029.
Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Swiss Re Group is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, insurance, and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer. The company currently employs about 15,000 people worldwide, including nearly 200 at its regional office on Magnavox Way in southwest Fort Wayne.
Plans call for the company to occupy commercial office space on the second and third floors of The Riverfront at Promenade Park, 124 W. Superior St. in Fort Wayne. The mixed-use development is currently under construction. Within walking distance of a variety of downtown amenities, the new space will be outfitted by Swiss Re to support its hybrid work model. Swiss Re pioneered this concept, with its “Own the Way You Work” philosophy, introducing flexible working arrangements long before the pandemic altered work routines. The office will feature flexible, non-dedicated desks and areas that can be adapted for multipurpose use and support work that requires collaboration or concentration.
Swiss Re has been part of the Fort Wayne community since it acquired Lincoln Re in 2001 and since then has been a frequent host to national and international visitors. Its positions include actuaries, data analysts, reinsurance administrators, underwriters, accountants, client managers and more. Current job openings can be found at careers.swissre.com.
“We’re pleased to be able to offer such a premier space for our Fort Wayne employees and the location and surrounding amenities will also make our Fort Wayne office an attractive destination for the many visitors we host there. The move demonstrates our commitment not only to the city of Fort Wayne, but also to our very talented people who contribute a lot to our success,” said Jonathan Isherwood, CEO Reinsurance Americas, Swiss Re.
“Swiss Re will be a tremendous tenant for The Riverfront at Promenade Park private development project. We welcome Swiss Re to downtown Fort Wayne and look forward to the positive impact the company will have in the heart of our city,” Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry said. “Barrett & Stokely is making tremendous progress on the construction of the mixed-use development next to Promenade Park that will further advance our efforts to bring more private and public opportunities to the riverfront area. Having Swiss Re as part of this endeavor is great news for our community and region.”
The Riverfront at Promenade Park is a public-private partnership between the City of Fort Wayne and Barrett & Stokely, representing an investment of nearly $90 million. The six-story complex is expected to open in two phases: a 900-space parking garage is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2022. More than 200 apartments, seven townhomes, and 45,000 square feet of commercial space is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
“We are excited to have Swiss Re be part of our Riverfront at Promenade Park development. Having such an exceptional company adding to the momentum of the Riverfront District is another positive indication of the success of the Riverfront Initiative,” said Nick Barrett, principal of The Riverfront at Promenade Park. “The City of Fort Wayne, the Mayor, City Council, the Department of Redevelopment, CIB, and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. have all been instrumental to the continued vibrance of downtown Fort Wayne and the creation of its Riverfront District. The City’s investment in Promenade Park, its urban trail, and its investments in the riverfront area have made the Riverfront District a regional destination that will continue to attract new business, restaurants, and residents.”
About Swiss Re
The Swiss Re Group is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, insurance, and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer, working to make the world more resilient. It anticipates and manages risk—from natural catastrophes to climate change, from aging populations to cybercrime. The aim of the Swiss Re Group is to enable society to thrive and progress, creating new opportunities and solutions for its clients. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1863, the Swiss Re Group operates through a network of around 80 offices globally. Learn more at swissre.com.
About Barrett & Stokely
Barrett & Stokely Inc. was founded in 1975 and has been engaged in the acquisition, ownership, management, development, construction, and disposition of income producing properties for over 45 years. The company has owned and managed over 130 properties including 15,000 multi-family units and 2.5 million square feet of office and retail space in Indiana, Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. Barrett & Stokely’s current portfolio consists of over 13,000 multi-family homes including suburban garden, urban high-rise, student, and Section 42 properties. Learn more at barrettandstokely.com.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Ind., as its metro chamber alliance and primary point of contact for economic growth. GFW Inc. focuses on prosperity and community vibrancy through economic development, advocacy, programs, and resources that support business success, leadership development, graduate retention and community engagement. GFW Inc. worked with state and local partners to assist Swiss Re with their plans. In 2021, GFW Inc. assisted 27 businesses in expansions or relocations in Allen County, resulting in more than 2,600 projected new jobs, more than $105 million in new annual payroll, and more than $498 million in new private investment.
