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 Sulepagoda.
One diplomat told CNN that a Western witness had reported seeing about 35 bodies lying in rows on a street near SulePagoda, with civilians praying over them.
With its prime location on SulePagoda Road, the most expensive street in Rangoon, Sakura Tower is the oldest and among the highest-priced office blocks in the city.