Sykes, a global provider of support services for the technical, financial and communications industries, is taking the 27th, 28th, 29th and 31st floors of the 31-story, 512,000-sf 400 North Ashley tower, formerly home to NationsBank and NCNB National Bank.

What sealed the deal for Sykes were the 20 floor-to-ceiling windows and a 360-degree view of the city from the top floor of the 14-year-old, landmark building at Kennedy Boulevard and Ashley Street in Downtown Tampa, Roger Mullarkey, vice president/marketing and leasing, Colonnade Properties, says in a prepared statement.

Sykes is consolidating two Downtown locations housing its corporate headquarters and operations center. "We're certain the property's prime location and superior amenities were a determining factor in the decision to relocate their offices," Mullarkey says.

The lease brings the building's occupancy to 80%. Average quoted rent is $19 per sf to $22 per sf.

Bill Obregon and Mike Fisher with the Tampa office of CB Richard Ellis Inc. negotiated for Sykes. Barry Hanerfeld of The Wilson Co. handles leasing at 400 North Ashley for Colonnade Properties.

Colonnade values its 30-property national portfolio at $2 billion. The inventory comprises 11 million sf of office, 1,000 hotel rooms, 1,000 apartment units and 600 acres of development land in multiplemarkets from Miami to Minneapolis. In Tampa, Colonnade also owns the Downtown Park Tower office building.