Transwestern managing director John Bell drew in a pool of offers from investors as far away as London when he marketed a 22-story office tower in the heart of downtown Jacksonville.

The One Enterprise Center, a 317,571-square-foot trophy office property, sold for $15.2 million to Los Angeles-based Michael Development Corp., which is managed by Joseph and David Michael. That works out to $48 per square foot.

Miami-based Bell listed the asset on behalf of Maryland-based CWCapital Asset Management, the seller and special servicer that controlled the property after it was foreclosed on a few years back.

The 1980s-built center last sold for $51 million in 2008. But when major tenant Wells Fargo moved out, the tower struggled to revive its occupancy and soon fell onto lender hands. The tower is directly connected to a 354-room Omni Hotel.

"We went through a very intensive marketing process that went beyond just the traditional domestic buyers," said Bell, who brought the center to market in February. "We went international and also throughout the entire U.S."

His expansive marketing strategy helped lure in potential bidders from all over the world despite the center's 51 percent occupancy rate.

Due to its lack of tenants, the office building considered one of the downtown market's centerpieces a block from the St. Jones River was selling at a deep discount compared with its last trade a factor that piqued investor interest.

Three rounds of bidding resulted in 35 offers, Bell said.

Jacksonville's central business district hasn't performed as well as others in large cities across Florida, and because of this, Bell had to tell the story of the North Florida city's future.

He explained to investors that Jacksonville is undergoing a major transition as corporate tenants increasingly consider relocating there. Large companies based there are interested in attracting young talent, which further pushes the city's urban revitalization along.

In its early stages, the evolving market offers a value-add play for long-term investors.

"Institutional investors clearly believe in Jacksonville's resurgence and value, demonstrated by the 35 competitive offers from domestic and foreign capital sources," Bell said. "This was the most sought-after office investment in Jacksonville this year."