Many Burmese felt the country's thuggish junta crossed a line last September, when its soldiers opened fire on monks leading protests against its rule including some beside the Sule pagoda.
One diplomat told CNN that a Western witness had reported seeing about 35 bodies lying in rows on a street near Sule Pagoda, with civilians praying over them.
With its prime location on Sule Pagoda Road, the most expensive street in Rangoon, Sakura Tower is the oldest and among the highest-priced office blocks in the city.