DOWNTOWN - From the outside, Park Tower is never going to be considered among Tampa's stylish skyscrapers. But a recent $3.5 million makeover is keeping up appearances inside.

When it opened in 1973 as First Financial Tower, it was fireworks-worthy. The 36-story structure was billed as Florida's tallest and the second highest in the Southeast.

Park Tower, 400 N. Tampa St., remains known for its incredible views of the region, including the mirrored towers that dwarf its plain, dark bronze façade resting on a marble base.

"This opening was a big deal," said Claire Calzon, managing director of Colliers Arnold, which has operated the building since Sterling American Property bought the tower for $50 million in January 2006.

Calzon has assembled a display of historical photographs and information, including a note that the building already was fully leased three years before its completion.

Calzon marvels at the mere $13.5 million it cost almost 35 years ago to build the structure, commonly known as the Lykes Bros. building because the company has been a continuous tenant.

"Now we put $3.5 million into it like that," she said, snapping her fingers, "and you don't even see much."

The dozen elevators, roof and air conditioning were updated under Sterling's ownership.

"We can't do anything with the building outside," Calzon said. "But we do hope to continue making it look nice inside."

The most evident change is in the lobby with new lighting, carpets and enlarged photographs by Clearwater's Richard Riley.

Riley said he provided seven photographs of varying sizes, mostly waterfront scenes. The main lobby sports a field of sea oats he shot in Destin.

"In a high-rise, you want something relaxing," he said. "And we wanted to keep a Florida theme."

Calzon said 83 percent of the 444,681-square-foot tower is occupied, with rent at $18.75 a square foot.

Back in its salad days, Park Tower had a rooftop heliport. Now it sports an antenna farm. Calzon said the building also had a men-only lunch club, indicative of the 1970s when the sexes often were separated in social situations.

She said the building will remain a place of retail and offices, with no plans for condominium conversions.

But change is always in the works for tenants. Alessi Bakery Cafe will soon replace a sales office for the SkyPoint residential project on the ground floor.

Leighman Walker, whose Art In Gold jewelry store is an original tenant, said the tower has never been rundown.

"We've always had good owners," he said. "Each time when someone new comes in they want to spruce up the place, so it's never been without care."

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.