PBSJ Corp. Chooses MetWest in Tampa

Taylor & Mathis of Florida announced today that The PBSJ Corporation will relocate its Tampa office to MetWest One, a LEED-certified office building recently opened at MetWest International in the Westshore Business District. The engineering, architecture, and construction company signed a long-term lease for 83,000-square-feet commencing January 2010. Serving as the company’s headquarters, the facility will house many of The PBSJ Corporation’s corporate services as well as subsidiary company operations.

Taylor & Mathis Managing Director of Leasing Angela Odell negotiated the transaction on behalf of the owner, MetLife, with Chad Rupp, Chris Butler and Bryan Rodriguez of Jones Lang LaSalle representing the tenant.

“When looking to relocate our office to support our evolving needs, we looked for a facility that could accommodate our unique requirements, offer our employees a great place to work, maintain our current proximity to valued clients and reflect our sensitivity to sustainable design strategies,” states John B. Zumwalt, III, chairman and CEO of The PBSJ Corporation. “MetWest International fit that bill in terms of office space, location, LEED certification, and pedestrian-oriented site design.”

“We are excited to announce The PBSJ Corporation, a major new office tenant for the recently completed Phase I office building, MetWest One,” says Chuck Davis, regional director of MetLife’s Tampa real estate investment office.

MetWest continues to show leasing momentum and interest for both the retail and office space. Kona Grill and E*Trade are opening this year at the mixed-use development located across from Tampa International Airport and International Plaza.

“The initial construction and subsequent phases will continue to support our vision to provide a high quality and unique real estate development appealing to businesses and individuals,” stated Davis. “MetLife brings a financially strong and dedicated landlord to the project, which is especially important in the current economic environment. For these reasons and many others, we believe MetWest will continue to attract tenants seeking a superior mixed-use environment within the popular Westshore area.”

MetLife is redeveloping the 32-acre MetWest International into a mixed-use center. The transformation of the site, which includes the existing One MetroCenter, a 240,320 square-foot Class A office building, is happening in phases. Infrastructure, the first of three new office buildings (MetWest One) and the retail village were completed earlier this year. The hotel is currently in the design phase, and the two later phase office buildings will be started as demand dictates. When complete, the pedestrian, urban-oriented development will include: nearly one million square feet of Class A office space; 74,200 square foot retail village; 260 room full-service upscale hotel; 254 residential units.