 The structure was built in 1926 after a stock-sale campaign in the local business community.It opened on January 14, 1927, two years before Edward Bok's famous Bok Tower was completed nearby.Original owners included then Governor Martin of Florida and silent screen star Thomas Meighan along with a consortium of other actors/actresses including Mary Pickford, Gloria Swanson and Clara Bow as well as famous Hollywood attorney Nathan Burkan and Hollywood Producer Victor Heerman.