The reinforced concrete and hollow-tile construction complex was built by Ricketts and Haworth, owned by the Burns Realty Company and opened for occupancy in March 1926.

The site of the apartment complex overlooking Sarasota Bay, marked the northern gateway of the Broadway Development that included the El Vernona Hotel (later known as John Ringling Towers), the Burns Realty complex, and the new headquarters of the Sarasota Times newspaper.

In addition to the Broadway buildings, the architect Dwight James Baum designed the Ca' d'Zan residence for John Ringling that also was built by Burns, as well as the Sarasota County Courthouse that was donated to the county by Edith and Charles Ringling.

The architect of record, Dwight James Baum, a prominent New York architect who was graduated from the University of Syracuse with a degree in architecture in 1909, also designed Ca' d'Zan for John Ringling, the Sarasota County Courthouse, and various residential buildings for other Owen Burns development sites.

Following the collapse of the real estate market in Sarasota, Baum worked as a consultant for the "Good Housekeeping" magazine.