Skanska First To Sign Lease At MetWest International

TAMPA, FL – Taylor & Mathis of Florida announced today that Skanska USA Building Inc. has become the first to sign a lease at MetWest International, a new, mixed-use development in the Westshore area. Taylor & Mathis Managing Director of Leasing Angela Odell negotiated the transaction on behalf of the owner, MetLife.

Skanska, an international construction leader and the construction manager for the project, has leased 20,226 square feet at MetWest International (MetWest One), which is located across from Tampa International Airport and International Plaza. The office building topped out in July and is scheduled for completion in January 2009.

"The campus’s central location and its varied amenities make the new office space a perfect fit for Skanska," said Skanska executive vice president and area general manager John Cammack. "With respect to our business, the LEED certification for the new office building at MetWest aligns with our sustainability goal on our job sites and in our offices."

"We're excited to have Skanska as the first tenant of MetWest International," said Chuck Davis, regional director of MetLife’s Tampa real estate investment office. "Not only is it located in the desirable, centrally-located Westshore area, MetWest has several unique and appealing features. Once completed, it will have a number of pedestrian-accessible amenities and a mix of retail, office, hotel, and residential space that will appeal to a broad group of businesses and individuals. We’re looking forward to continuing our efforts on this project and working with other noteworthy tenants like Skanska."

MetLife is redeveloping the 32-acre MetWest International into a mixed-use center. The transformation of the site is happening in phases, with infrastructure and the first office building slated to open in January of 2009, and the retail village in the first quarter of 2009. The hotel is currently in the design phase, and the two later phase office buildings will be started as demand dictates.

Urban Life...Work Place

	32-acre mixed use development in the Westshore Business District
	Nearly one million square feet of Class A office space in four buildings
	Office Building One - LEED Silver Pre-Certified
	Office Building One - TECO Dual Power Feed
	Restaurant and retail villiage on site
	260 room full-service, upscale hotel
	254 elegant residential units
	Ample covered parking
	Located across from Tampa International Airport and International Plaza

Click here to visit our website:
www.metwestinternational.com

For Leasing Info Contact:

ANGELA ODELL
813-514-2435
aodell@taylormathis.com

EMILY INGERICK
813-514-0569
eingerick@taylormathis.com