CENTIER BANK BUILDING CELEBRATING 100TH ANNIVERSARY IN FORT WAYNE
FORT WAYNE, IND. – Centier Bank recently announced they will be moving to a new full-service banking location at 127 W. Berry St., now known as the Centier Bank Building. The historic building will be celebrating its 100th anniversary with an interior renovation as the bank prepares to open its doors to clients in September 2024.
Centier Bank has partnered with Fort Wayne-based companies, Design Collaborative and Michael Kinder & Sons, for an interior renovation project. The fact that the branch is 13,500 sq.-ft. makes this the largest branch renovation in Centier’s 129-year history.
Adam James, Senior Architect at Design Collaborative, said a portion of the existing building interior features an ornate ceiling that originally served as the lobby and teller area when the building was originally designed and served as the main downtown bank branch and headquarters. He said his team is working on creating a modern retail banking experience in a historic building that has tall ceilings and large columns, all while maintaining visibility and flow for clients.
“The space provides a glimpse of the old-world banking of yesterday,” James said. “Working with the Centier team, we wanted to integrate the modern amenities and needs of today’s banking while respecting the history and heritage through details in lighting, trim, and material use.
Downtown Fort Wayne showcases a mix of old and new buildings, from classic styles like Greek Revival and Gothic Revival to more modern ones like Art Deco and Neoclassical. Thanks to the City Beautiful movement, the city's parks and roads blend seamlessly with neighborhoods and waterways, giving it a lively vibe that fits right into today's world. 127 W. Berry St. was formerly occupied by Star Financial.
“As owners of this historic property, we are inspired by Centier Bank’s vision and renovation, which comes at the perfect time to commemorate the building’s rich history,” said George Huber, Founder and Chairman of Equity Investment Group. “Centier will play an integral role in writing the next chapters of the building’s story and ensuring its continued impact on downtown Fort Wayne."
In recent years, Centier Bank has renovated a number of its branches in complete renovations to reflect a modern banking experience that also pays homage to the community. Interiors feature spacious lobbies adorned with a gradient of blue hues, clean lines, and modern fixtures, as well as a feature wall, and contemporary furnishings with a Mid-Century modern flare.
Doug Wood, Centier Bank’s Fort Wayne Market President, said the bank is proud to partner with some of Fort Wayne's top firms for what promises to be a truly remarkable interior renovation project.
"Centier Bank is thrilled to be part of the rich history of downtown Fort Wayne by renaming the building as the Centier Bank Building,” expressed Doug Wood, Fort Wayne Market President. “We’re working on debuting a flagship branch stocked with modern amenities and the space’s timeless charm, while providing our clients with a welcoming community banking experience.”
The new branch will include convenient drive-through lanes, a drive-up ATM, a night deposit box, and customer parking. Inside, the lobby will offer expanded office space, additional teller stations, and a self-service coin machine.
“We take pride in expanding our capacity and footprint in downtown Fort Wayne, a testament to our unwavering belief in the city's thriving potential,” said Mike Schrage CEO and Chairman of Centier Bank. “Centier Bank is excited about ongoing investments, reflecting our commitment to the community's prosperity.”
For more information about Centier Bank, go to centier.com.
