University of Tampa buys Thompson Building

BUYER: University of Tampa Inc. (Ronald Vaughn, Richard Ogorek, Donna Popovich, Eugene McNichols, Don Defosset and John West), Tampa

SELLER: Gaspar Properties Inc.

PROPERTY: 200 N. Edison Ave., Tampa

PRICE: $1.59 million

PREVIOUS PRICE: $330,000, May 1996

LAW FIRM ON DEED: Hill Ward Henderson, Tampa

PLANS, DESCRIPTION: The University of Tampa Inc. purchased a 23,227-square-foot warehouse building on its campus for $1.59 million.

The price equated to $68 per square foot.

The university has leased the 87-year-old Thompson Building for years to house its Facilities Management department. The building also served as storage for the maintenance department's central receiving and stores inventory.

The University of Tampa exercised an option to purchase the building as part of its long-term lease agreement, according Eric Cárdenas, director of public information and publications for the university.

Earlier this year, the university purchased an 8,000-square-foot academic building, a 7,000-square-foot storage building and a parking lot at Kennedy and North boulevards for $1.42 million.