Audio Transcript

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If you take a look to your right across the road, you'll see a large building. If you look up, way up, you'll see this is the Burns Building! The building was quite aptly named as it was built by early 20th century meat baron Pat Burns. Construction was completed more than 100 years ago in 1912. The ground floor was originally used as retail space for Butcher Burn’s Meaty Goods, but what to do with the remaining 35,000 square feet of space?

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Ever the businessman, Burns leased space to some of the biggest corporations around including Calgary Power, Rocky Mountain Cement, and a whole host of dentists, doctors, and lawyers!

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This historic building was at risk of being demolished in the 80’s to make way for the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts, but the City Council voted to save it by just one vote. Talk about a close call!