Downtown Tampa - page 4                         

Referred to as "The Beer Can" by Tampanians, this building was the NCNB Building and is currently the Rivergate Tower. The building is a favorite shot from Ray Jay Stadium from across the river, for Monday Night Football and is often used as the "backscreen" to superimpose player images during commercial breaks with the building reflected in the Hillsborough River. Built in the mid-1980s, the building drew rave reviews and stark criticism. Like it or not, it plays a major role in giving downtown Tampa a beautifully distinctive skyline. 

The 36 foot tall sculpture, referred to by downtowners as "The Exploding Chicken", actually has a name... "Untitled".

"Untitled", 1988, by George Sugarman
Commissioned by NationsBank (Bank of America), this minimalist yellow, black and white painted sculpture is positioned at Kennedy Blvd. and Ashley Drive.   Sugarman’s works are all "explosive" in nature, and this work is no exception.   By introducing “Untitled” to this site, Sugarman said he hoped to show “That an office or bank building can have a larger meaning than just its function, that such buildings can help form a symbol of creativity that energizes the whole area.”

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The adjacent building, "the Box", was used in the movie "The Punisher" as Howard Saint's (played by John Travolta) office and nightclub.

Functional Art vs. Stand Alone Art and "Plop Art" While a sculpture in an office plaza can serve as a landmark, or a painting prominently placed in a reception area can offer a welcoming respite to a visitor, public art in Tampa is much more. In several projects, the Public Art program is taking an integrated approach whereby the public art component is incorporated into the design of the facility. This allows for unique partnerships that enhance the facilities with integral, and personal design elements.

View more of Tampa's public art

The Rivergate Tower (L) and the Bank of America tower (R), formerly the Barnett Bank, as seen from the west end of the Kennedy Blvd. bridge.

The Lykes Building, (Park Tower) formerly the First Florida Tower, 111 E. Madison.

On the banks of the Hillsborough River, left to right:  Radisson Riverwalk Hotel,  AmSouth Building and  Wachovia Center, formerly the First Union Building.

This view can be seen from the Kennedy Blvd

bridge over the Hillsborough River, looking south.

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