Bringing Light and Character to a Fort Wayne Landmark
When a 125-year-old industrial building along Fort Wayne's St. Marys River began its transformation into a modern dining and entertainment destination, the project called for glass and aluminum work that could honor the building's historic character while meeting the demands of a contemporary mixed-use space. AGA (Architectural Glass & Aluminum) delivered that work, and the results are some of the most visible features of one of Fort Wayne's most anticipated adaptive reuse projects.
The Project
The Schaab Metal Products building at 1216 N. Harrison St. has been a fixture of Fort Wayne's riverfront for generations.
Originally built in the late 19th century, the 40,000-square-foot structure served for decades as a metal products distributor before sitting vacant.
In 2023, local developer Don Steininger and Schaab Riverfront Plaza LLC acquired the building and committed over $8 million to its adaptive reuse, preserving the historic brick facade and Schaab company lettering while modernizing the interior for a new generation of use.
The redeveloped building will be home to dining and entertainment tenants expected to open in mid- to late-2026, with additional retail and restaurant space available. It sits adjacent to the city's Riverfront Fort Wayne Phase IIB project, which will add an esplanade, hammock grove, cascading steps, and a boulder climbing mound to the surrounding public space.
AGA's Scope of Work
AGA supplied and installed the full glass and aluminum system for the Schaab Riverfront renovation, including the project's most visually prominent feature: a two-story curtainwall enclosure housing the building's new glass staircase.
The structure serves as both a functional connector between floors and a dramatic architectural statement: floor-to-ceiling glazing that opens the interior to views of the St. Marys River and the surrounding riverfront.
AGA's work also included the storefront systems along the building's riverfront-facing facade, as well as window units throughout the historic structure. The black-framed systems complement the building's exposed brick and industrial heritage while introducing clean, modern lines consistent with the overall design vision.
Installation in Challenging Conditions
Installation of the curtainwall system took place during winter months, with AGA's crew working through cold and snow to meet project timelines.
The scale and precision required for the two-story glass enclosure (including coordinating panel placement, framing alignment, and weather protection during installation) reflects the technical capability AGA brings to complex architectural glass and aluminum projects.
The Result
The completed glass and aluminum work is central to the Schaab Riverfront's identity as a revitalized destination. The curtainwall staircase has become one of the building's signature design elements, and the storefront systems along the riverfront walkway invite the public in while preserving unobstructed views of the St. Marys River.
Schaab Riverfront is a testament to what adaptive reuse can accomplish when design, craft, and community investment come together. AGA is proud to have contributed to a project that will serve Fort Wayne residents and visitors for years to come.
Select photography courtesy of WANE 15.
See WANE 15's original coverage of the Schaab Riverfront project here.
