Burns Square is bound by Laurel Park Historic District to the east, Palm Avenue residential neighborhood to the west, and Hudson Bayou to the south.

The Seaboard Air Line Railway went from Lemon Avenue down Pineapple, and by 1929, the neighborhood was developed.

The design for the building began in the New York offices of architect Dwight James Baum.

In 1924, Baum discovered Sarasota and, after meeting Owen Burns, determined that he wanted to recreate the architecture he had seen in Europe and the Mediterranean.

The 1960 City Directory reflects that by this time the Sarasota Herald-Tribune had moved to 801 South Tamiami Trail, and Privett's Drugs was at 1605 Third Street with a new owner.