Former Mandarin Oriental hotel vanishes in seconds with controlled implosion
The former Mandarin Oriental at one of Miami's most exclusive locations was demolished Sunday to make way for something bigger. Demolition experts completed the controlled implosion of the 23-story building in Miami on Brickell Key, a man-made island at the mouth of the Miami River, across from downtown.
The building, which opened 25 years ago, collapsed in less than 20 seconds following blasts that occurred about 8.30am, in what is the largest implosion for Miami in more than a decade.
Residents within 800 feet (244 meters) of the building were asked to stay inside their apartments during the blast with windows and doors closed.
According to Swire Properties, the demolition will make way for the groundbreaking of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a two-tower ultraluxury hotel and residential development scheduled for completion in 2030.
The operation follows nearly two years of planning and coordination with specialized contractors and the city, developers said. Implosion was selected as the safest and most efficient method to maintain the project timeline while minimizing disruption and ensuring the safety of the Brickell Key community.
Ap Correspondent