06.17.2024

Today’s Forecast

Behind the curve

A deep dive on the Rivergate Tower

Tampa's skyline, with the Rivergate Tower pictured on the right. Its yellowish brown color is reflected in the sun, with windows lining the outside. There is an ominous cloudy sky with streaks of blue above.

It’s nicknamed the Beer Can Building for a reason. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Have you seen the cylindrical brown building by the Tampa Riverwalk? Of course you have.

The Rivergate Tower is unmistakable — both due to its unique design and central location within downtown Tampa. To help better understand how the structure came to be, we’re enlisting the help of the viral, oft-remixed “song of the summer.”

I’m looking for a tower in finance

This tower is certainly in finance. Since its doors opened in 1988, the Rivergate Tower has provided local business professionals with ideally-located office space. The building was initially built to serve as the headquarters for the now-defunct North Carolina National Bank (NCNB).

Its business roots are also visible through the lettering atop the tower — Sykes, the Tampa-based outsourcing + consulting company which serves as the building’s principal tenant. That’s why you may also hear it called the Sykes Building.

Trust fund

Someone’s got money. The Rivergate Tower cost $150 million to build between 1986 and 1988, but was later sold for just $22 million in a foreclosure sale in 2012. Its new owners immediately invested $3 million into restoration efforts, before a more extensive $11 million renovation project took place in 2016-2017.

The Rivergate Tower along the Tampa Riverwalk. There is a flag for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the foreground which reads "Be the Thunder", and the Hillsborough River runs along the right side of the photo. — The only office building located directly along Tampa’s Riverwalk.
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Photo by TBAYtoday

6'5"

If you like your towers tall, how’s 454 ft? The 31-story high rise boasts ~520,000 sqft of interior space.

The Rivergate is the seventh-tallest building in Tampa, and “one of the tallest limestone structures in the world,” according to Tour Tampa Bay Architecture.

Blue eyes

Alas, no blue eyes. But the tower does have a unique relationship with color. Thanks to its facade of French and Texas limestone, the building shines yellow-orange when hit by the sun — often most pronounced later in the day. Just look at the two photos included in this article.

Designed by architect Harry Wolf, this effect — coupled with the cylindrical design — was meant to symbolize a lighthouse.

Asked

Do you like the Rivergate Tower?

A. Yes, it’s unique.
B. No, it’s an eyesore.

This should be interesting

Events

Monday, June 17

Arts Legacy Remix: Juneteenth | Monday, June 17 | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | Free | Embrace spoken remembrances, historical literature, and original performances ahead of the holiday.

Tuesday, June 18

Predalina Tasting Series: Wagyu and Whiskey | Tuesday, June 18 | 6-7 p.m. | Predalina, 1001 E. Cumberland Ave., Tampa | $114 | Savor sumptuous samples led by Executive Chef Billy Zeko and Advanced Sommelier Mark Hoefer in Water Street Tampa.
Tampa Tarpons vs. Palm Beach Cardinals | Tuesday, June 18-Sunday, June 23 | Times vary | George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa | $2+ | Catch a minor league game in the Big Guava, including daily specials.

Wednesday, June 19

Theories of Yoga Therapy | Wednesday, June 19 | 12-1 p.m. | Bionic Bloom, 146 2nd St. N., Ste. 101, St. Petersburg | $5 | Learn how yoga can help improve your physical and mental well-being.
Juneteenth Film Festival | Wednesday, June 19 | 6 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | Free with reservation | This portion of the series brings Black filmmakers together for a night of networking, in-depth conversations, and screenings of four local films.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

🧠 Professional therapy, completely online

Laptop screen showing female, 30-something patient video chatting with her similarly-aged female therapist via BetterHelp.

Picture this: Professional therapy, done from the comfort of your home. | Image by BetterHelp

Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness — and BetterHelp makes starting therapy easy.

Whether you’re dealing with grief, work burnout, relationship problems, or you’re just feeling down, therapy is for you. Online therapy in the comfort of your own home? Even better.

Speaking of better, BetterHelp can custom-match you with one of their 30,000+ licensed therapists in as little as 24 hours. (No more waiting days, weeks, or even months to see someone.)

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News Notes

Sports

Dreams of a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium are one step closer to reality. Last week, St. Pete City Council members voted in favor of the proposal to build the $1.3 billion ballpark in the Historic Gas Plant District. The next step? Another vote slated for Thursday, July 11. (WTSP)

Community

Tampa is getting a museum to commemorate its Black history. The Tampa Housing Authority and Tampa Bay History Center are collaborating on the project, and are making an official announcement today. The museum will be located in the Encore development — stay tuned for more info. (WFLA)

Development

More construction could be coming to I-275. Elected officials are considering widening the highway by two lanes in each direction, between Hillsborough Avenue and Bearss Avenue. The proposal was ranked No. 93 on officials’ priority list — so don’t hold your breath. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Real Estate

South Tampa’s skyline has changed yet again. Construction is now complete on Altura Bayshore — a luxury condo complex. Realtors say it’s a “near sell-out,” with remaining condos starting at $2 million. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Try This

K-Pop fans are preparing for next month’s K-Pop Night Market in Pinellas Park. The Saturday, July 20 event will feature 20+ vendors selling merch, activities, and dancing. It’s taking place from 5 to 9 p.m. at Unlimited Video Games. (I Love the Burg)

Number

$7.95 million. That’s the asking cost for this recently-listed Snell Isle home. The eventual buyer will get direct waterfront access, views of the St. Pete skyline, ~4,000 sqft, a heated saltwater pool, and plenty of other luxury amenities.

Sports

Are the Bucs being slept on? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Home

Pop quiz: How is going solar good for everyone? From decreasing the burden on the grid to helping the environment to saving you money (now and in the long run), going solar makes life better for all. Still not sure? See 10 reasons why solar should be your next investment.*

Finance

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Food

🍔 Meal deals

Meal deals: Tampa Bay Restaurant Week has arrived

A fried shrimp po boy at Willa's in Tampa. The sandwich is on a baguette, with battered shrimp accompanied by sauce, lettuce, and tomato, with potato chips also on the plate in front of a green leafy backdrop.

Willa’s is one of dozens of restaurants taking part. | Photo by Willa’s

Dinner time. Creative Loafing’s 18th annual Tampa Bay Restaurant Week is in full swing, running through Sunday, June 23.

With 63 TBAY spots serving special offers on prix fixe menus, there’s plenty to choose from. How to access the offer? Just ask for the Tampa Bay Restaurant Week menu. Here’s what we’re ordering:

City Editor Patrick is heading to South Tampa for a spot of Indian food at Flames Indian Cuisine. For four food items, it’s $35 for one person, or $50 for two people. The chicken tikka masala and lamb rogan josh are high on the priority list. Pro tip: A mango lassi is the perfect accompaniment.
For City Editor Bailey, Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi is calling. The Harbour Island spot is offering a three-course dinner for $45, including a tantalizing blackened Florida grouper option. And gelato to cleanse the palate.

There’s a lot more choice in the full lineup.

The Buy

The Buy 6.17.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These best-selling men’s swim trunks — they’re lined, quick drying, and come in any fun pattern you can dream up (we like the little sharks).

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

And just like that, it’s Monday again. I’ll be spending my day dreaming of the new Caesar pie at Santoro’s.

Apologies to the wilting spinach in my fridge.

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