The Westberry Apartment Building: One of DTFW’s Original Mixed-use Spaces

Berry Street has a lot to offer. Running all the way through Downtown, it’s home to everything from dining hotspots and arts organizations to municipal buildings, like the Allen County Courthouse and Citizen Square. If you head west down Berry, you’ll eventually find yourself in a quiet little corner of DTFW, full of breathtaking historic buildings and striking churches. One of those buildings is the Westberry Apartments building—a 75-year-old high-rise that’s been a Downtown landmark since before the term “mixed-use space” became a buzzword. 

The building houses 98 residential units and a mix of unique commercial tenants on the ground floor. With a long history dating all the way back to the post-World War II era, this building has seen a thing or two—from Downtown’s Wolf & Dessauer heydays to its modern-day revival. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the Westberry Apartment building and its tenants:

WESTBERRY APARTMENTS & THE BUILDING’S HISTORY

Originally the Poagston Arms Apartments, the building was erected in 1951 as a post-World War II FHA housing project. There were many identical apartment buildings scattered across the U.S. 

It remained Poagston Arms Apartments up until 2001, when the current owner, Eric Fisher of Midtowne Realty, purchased the building and changed its name to Westberry Apartments. Despite the building’s blighted state, Fisher and his wife were charmed by the property, and felt they could “turn it around”. What was even more appealing was the opportunity it provided. This was years before the recent resurgence of Downtown, so the building was an affordable investment for a young couple without a lot of money. Little did they know, the Downtown revitalization was just around the corner. 

“We got in at the beginning of a new trend for Downtown, where citizens and government had a newfound interest in creating an urban center that was walkable and fun to live in,” said owner Eric Fisher. “We were able to help contribute to this new trend, by providing quality urban living—and we were lucky enough to benefit from the trend of people relocating to Downtown.”  

Nowadays, Midtowne Realty still manages the property as a family-owned business. Eric’s son, Mitch, has taken over a majority of the operations. The units at Westberry are small but convenient, and offer approachable city living—with amenities like beautiful rooftop patio views, and shops, parks, and dining all within walking distance. 

For more information about Westberry Apartments or rental inquiries, visit Midtowne Realty’s website.

THE BRAVE ALLIANCE

The BRAVE Alliance is a local nonprofit dedicated to Building Radically Affirming & Validating Environments (BRAVE) for the LGBTQA+ community. This includes a range of services—from specialized support groups to special events designed to bring the queer community together. They even have drop-in hours where anyone can use their communal area (and free wifi) to study, read, play games, or socialize in a safe, welcoming space. 

The ways BRAVE gives back are expansive. In addition to creating community, they offer clothing donations, food pantries, and a free library, where folks can access literary work from LQBTQ+ and BIPOC authors. And practically all the food and activities at their pop-up events are free, making it accessible to everyone.

At BRAVE, there’s something for everyone, no matter your interests. On any given month, you’ll find events featuring yoga, DND, bingo, arts & crafts, karaoke, music therapy, movie nights, and so much more. 

To see a schedule of their monthly events or learn more about their services, visit the BRAVE Alliance’s website.

DAVID TALBOTT COLLECTION

David Talbott Collection is a special kind of retail store; one that takes you back to a time when brick-and-mortar stores reigned supreme. I’m talking about an era when retail shopping was a social pastime that fostered a sense of community—an era when shops were so familiar with their regulars, you’d think you were hanging out at your neighborhood pub.

Sounds romantic, right? It’s that mix of nostalgia and community that David Rabideau channels so well at his storefront on West Berry Street, where clothing meets camaraderie. At David Talbott, you’ll find men’s apparel, accessories, and grooming products from designer brands, all carefully curated by Rabideau himself.   

Rabideau’s approach to fashion puts quality above all else, but offers a price point that’s approachable, so you don’t have to sacrifice style to meet your budget. What really makes Rabideau stand out, though, is his eagerness to get to know you and your personal taste, so he can provide you with a look that truly suits you. He’ll even go out of his way to do custom orders based on your preferences. 

For store hours, sales, and more on their selection, follow David Talbott Collection on Facebook!

REBOOT & REBOOT LABS

Reboot offers residential and commercial IT solutions, with over 10 years of experience in the field. Their services include everything from managed IT to custom database and app development. They even have a “Reboot Bar,” where customers can bring in any device and, for $50, get a 30-minute service and training session. If an issue is too complex for the 30-minute repair, they’ll provide you with options (more on this here). 

While the Reboot team may have an affinity for Apple products, they are fully trained to service both Mac and Windows. Curious about their services? Book an appointment! *All services and consultations are by appointment only.

Also at Reboot is Reboot Labs, a retail experience that offers creative and inventive gifts for the curious and the tech-minded—young or old. Find kits that foster outside-the-box thinking in engineering, coding, design, robotics, and more! 

To learn more about Reboot’s services or to book an appointment, visit Reboot’s website.

You can check out the Westberry Apartments building at 530 Berry Street, Fort Wayne 46802—on the corner of Berry and Fulton. 

While you’re there, don’t forget to stop in to visit the businesses on the main floor!