Owen Burns (developer)

He was born into a North Carolina family that dates to Francis Burns, who left Ayrshire, Ayr County, Scotland for America in 1734 with Gabrielle Johnston (who came to act as a colonial governor).

[3][4] As a visitor, Owen Burns had come to Sarasota from Chicago for its famed fishing and in 1910,[5] settled there, and remained for the rest of his life.

Lillian became a significant benefactor for the community as well, donating a large collection of historical materials and artifacts related to her family and Sarasota to the county archives so that they would become resources that would be preserved and kept open to the public.

She also taught researchers how to conduct effective interviews of historical figures and to create unbiased research, held free brown-bag luncheon lectures downtown, and conducted tours of the community that were enriched by her extensive, first-hand knowledge of its history.

[7] Her younger sister, Harriet Burns Stieff, continued the donations and participation in the historical community after the death of Lillian.

Not only did Owen Burns become the largest landowner in the city, but he founded its first locally-owned bank, Citizens Bank of Sarasota, promoted the development of other businesses, participated in the founding of a board of trade that was the precursor of the Chamber of Commerce, and built its bridges, sea walls, landmark buildings, and mansions.

He created novel developments such as Burns Court as rental quarters to attract tourists who could afford to buy second homes in Sarasota after becoming familiar with the community and he built commercial establishments to generate additional impetus to the growing community, such as his Herald Square developments.

The Owen Burns building at Herald Square has been restored recently, a second renovation by its owner of more than thirty years, Denise Kowal.

In the first renovation she added new features to the exterior, such as balconies of wrought iron and stylish colors,[10][11] replacing the wooden originals made with pecky cypress timbers.

On what currently is First Street, near the hotel he named after his wife and his real estate office, Burns built the second Times Building (another newspaper).

Shortly after the opening of the hotel, a land boom crash in Florida struck a fatal blow to his finances because of the unfulfilled partnership agreement.

Ironically, it was the same former partner, John Ringling, who took advantage of the situation and purchased the hotel for a small portion of its value,[13] although several years later, he also would follow Burns into financial ruin.