UT Innovation and Collaboration Building Wins Two Awards: Urban Excellence and Architecture/Design

The University of Tampa’s newly constructed Innovation and Collaboration Building was recognized for its contributions to a vibrant downtown as the Tampa Downtown Partnership honored it as one of nine winners during the 2015 Annual Urban Excellence Awards.

The awards recognize individuals, organizations, businesses, events and projects that have made significant contributions toward creating a unique, vibrant and diverse downtown. The ceremony was held on Dec. 8 at the Le Méridien Tampa Hotel.

UT won the private sector project award. Other winners included Coast Bike Share, ENCORE!, Kennedy Plaza Section of the Tampa Riverwalk, Pour House/Ginger Beard Coffee, Selmon Greenway/AIA Design Week, Stay Curious by Tes One and Bask, Public Art at Poe Garage (Commissioned by City of Tampa Art Programs Division), Tampa RiverFest, Jeff Vinik and European Wax Center.

The Innovation and Collaboration Building is an eight-story structure that features three floors of academic and administrative space, including a new, state-of-the-art home for the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, and four floors of parking. Located at the corner of Kennedy and North boulevards, the building also includes high tech cybersecurity labs, campus safety offices, innovative classrooms, study spaces, faculty offices and a Starbucks store.

The winners of the awards were determined by an independent panel of judges. Sponsorship of the program was Carlton Fields Jorden Burt. The University of Tampa previously won the award in 2013.

Additionally, the Innovation and Collaboration Building also won in the category of Interior Architecture/Interior Design last week at the CREW Tampa Bay Annual Excellence Awards. The event was held on Dec. 3 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown Hotel.