Where: Behind the windows at the top of 100 N. Tampa St., downtown Tampa
Public access: The 41st floor of 100 North Tampa, more commonly known as the Amsouth building, has been occupied for the past two-and-a-half years by the law firm of Holland & Knight. Though they don't encourage visitors, you could try and strike a bargain with the receptionist.
Element of danger: Low. While it's guaranteed you will eventually be thrown out, it's doubtful the aforementioned receptionist is going to be the one to gorilla you into an elevator.
Why we went: The view. 100 North Tampa is the tallest building in downtown Tampa, and the 19-foot-tall triangular windows that adorn the top offer stunning vistas of the Bay area looking both east and west from downtown.
What we discovered: Despite appearances to the contrary, the top floor does not house the set of Ghostbusters or some billionaire's dream pad. Instead, each of the eight windows fronts a tight but well-appointed conference room. Holland & Knight's lawyers regularly hold meetings with clients or other attorneys in the conference rooms, though it's hard to figure how anyone can concentrate on legal mumbo-jumbo when the view is this spectacular.
Looking out the west side of the building, the University of Tampa campus is but a small park, and Kennedy Boulevard points the way to awe-inspiring views of the horizon and the bay. The east side of the building looks out most immediately on the high-rise Verizon and Suntrust buildings, and then further out on the industrial zone that separates downtown Tampa and Brandon.
A word of warning, though: If you're scared of heights, you might want to think about hiring a different attorney.
This article appears in Mar 1-7, 2006.