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Rivergate Tower facts for kids

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Rivergate Tower
Tampa architectural photos 242.jpg
General information
Type Office
Location 400 North Ashley Street, Tampa, Florida
Coordinates 27°56′50″N 82°27′38″W / 27.947310°N 82.460632°W / 27.947310; -82.460632
Construction started 1986
Completed 1988
Opening 1988
Owner In-Rel Properties
Management In-Rel Properties
Height
Roof 454 ft (138 m)
Technical details
Floor count 31
Floor area 515,965 sq ft (47,934.7 m2)
Lifts/elevators 4
Design and construction
Architect Harry Wolf

The Rivergate Tower is a very tall building, also known as the Sykes building or the Beer Can Building. It stands 454-foot-tall (138 m) in Tampa, Florida. With 31 floors, it is the seventh tallest building in the city of Tampa. A big company called Sykes Enterprises uses much of the building. They help people with technical support and customer service all over the world.

What is the Rivergate Tower?

The Rivergate Tower is an office building where many businesses have their offices. It is famous for its unique shape, which looks like a tall, round lighthouse. This special design makes it stand out in the Tampa skyline.

When Was the Rivergate Tower Built?

Construction of the Rivergate Tower started in 1986 and finished in 1988. It was built to be the main office for a bank called NCNB, which later became Nations Bank. The building cost about $150 million to build.

Who Designed the Rivergate Tower?

The architect who designed the Rivergate Tower was Harry Wolf. He used a special math idea called the Fibonacci sequence for the building's design. In this sequence, each number is found by adding the two numbers before it (like 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and so on). This means that each floor tile and window pane in the building is a little bigger than the one next to it, following this pattern.

The building is covered in a type of rock called limestone from France and Texas. This makes it one of the tallest buildings in the world made of limestone. Its round shape was meant to look like a lighthouse, guiding ships into Tampa Bay.

Who Owns the Rivergate Tower Now?

In 2011, a company called In-Rel Properties bought the building. They bought it for $22 million at a special sale.

Awards and Recognition

The design of the Rivergate Tower has won important awards.

What Awards Has the Building Won?

In 1993, Harry Wolf's design for the Rivergate Tower received the National Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects. This is a big award for architecture.

On April 18, 2012, the Florida branch of the American Institute of Architects added the Rivergate Tower to its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places. This list highlights important buildings in Florida's history.

What is Near the Rivergate Tower?

The Rivergate Tower is located in a busy part of Tampa, with several interesting places nearby.

Nearby Buildings and Parks

Right next to the tower, there is a cube-shaped building. This building is home to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, where you can see amazing photos. It also has a bank and a cafe.

Just north of the tower, you can find Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. This is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. To the east of the tower is the Tampa Riverwalk, a path along the Hillsborough River where people can walk, run, or bike.

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