For decades, the fixed-base operator at Fort Wayne International Airport served an important purpose, but time and growth outpaced its ability to keep up. The 40-year-old facility was landlocked, constrained future terminal expansion, and no longer reflected the experience expected by executive travelers, flight crews, and business aviation clients. Airport leadership recognized an opportunity to elevate the first impression of Fort Wayne for those arriving by air.
Elevatus Architecture was selected to help realize that vision, partnering with design-builder The Hagerman Group to deliver a modern executive terminal on the airport’s West Ramp, strategically positioned near the intersection of both runways and connected to an existing post-war hangar. The result is a two-story, 12,000-square-foot facility designed around comfort, efficiency, and service.
Inside, the Fort Wayne Aero Center balances functionality with a sense of arrival. A light-filled executive lobby welcomes guests with views of the airfield, anchored by floor-to-ceiling, color-tinted glass in calming blues and greens. Concierge-level service spaces, private offices, and technologically enhanced conference rooms support business on the move, while pilots and crews benefit from lounges, private rest areas, fitness amenities, and thoughtful support spaces designed for long days and late nights. Multiple tenant spaces allow aviation-related businesses and hangar lessees to operate seamlessly under one roof.
Sustainability played a key role in the project’s execution. The LEED-certified facility incorporates local and recycled materials, low-consumption plumbing fixtures, low-voltage lighting, and an ENERGY STAR-rated roofing system, aligning long-term performance with responsible design.
Today, the Fort Wayne Aero Center serves as northeast Indiana’s premier full-service FBO, offering 24/7 operations and an experience shaped by care, clarity, and purpose. It is a welcoming gateway that reflects the ambition of the region it serves.
