Bungalows take the forefront at Ca' d' Zan

SARASOTA — More than a hundred Suncoast residents recently toured two restored bungalow residences built by Owen Burns in 1925.

Burns is best known for being hired to build John & Mabel Ringling’s estate, the Ca’ d’ Zan.

The self-guided tour was sponsored by owners Jim and Susan Davis, Tidmore-Henry Associates, and the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation.

In addition to the residences, an original garage was converted into a one-bedroom carriage house while the other garage is being converted into office space.

The homes were designed by architect Thomas Reed Martin in the Mediterranean Revival–Spanish Eclectic Style. Built with concrete block and stucco finish, the bungalows measured 26 feet by 40 feet of floor space and were topped with flat roofs and molded roof parapets.

Co-owner Susan Davis provided guests with a brief history of the buildings, located at 443 and 447 Burns Court, and talked about the process they followed in modernizing them.

Following her presentation, the couple were presented with bronze plaques that tell the history of the buildings. The plaques were presented by Tony Souza, an SAHP board member who also serves as chair of Sarasota’s city and county historic preservation boards

The plaques are in recognition of the fact that the property has been added to the Sarasota Register of Historic Places.

Owen Burns arrived in Sarasota in 1910 for the purpose of building John & Mabel Ringling’s estate, the Ca’ d’ Zan. He was responsible for building many of the homes in the burgeoning city, including the paving of streets and the development of public spaces.

At one point, Burns purchased some 70 percent of Sarasota for the price of $35,000. He would eventually go into business with Ringling to develop the barrier islands (i.e. Lido Key, St. Armands, Longboat Key).

He also built the historic El Verona Hotel, which he named for his wife. Burns died in 1937 at the age of 68.