Miami officials said demolition experts completed the controlled implosion of the former Mandarin Oriental, Miami, on Sunday on Brickell Key, a human-made island at the mouth of the Miami River across from downtown. The 23-story hotel, which opened 25 years ago, was brought down as blasts went off around 8:30 a.m., and officials said it marked the largest implosion in Miami in more than a decade.
Residents and onlookers were kept at a distance during the demolition. People watching safely from afar cheered and recorded phone videos as the building’s framework collapsed following a series of rapid charges, and dust soon filled the air as building material crashed down. Some watchers wore face masks as they left the area afterward.
The demolition perimeter extended to nearby homes, where officials asked residents within 800 feet (244 meters) to stay inside their apartments during the blast, with windows and doors closed. AP reported that, shortly before the main implosion, what looked and sounded like blue- and pink-tinted fireworks were set off near the top of the building.
According to Swire Properties, the demolition will make way for The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, described as a two-tower ultraluxury hotel and residential development scheduled for completion in 2030. The operation followed nearly two years of planning and coordination with specialized contractors and the city, developers said, with implosion selected as the safest and most efficient method to maintain the project timeline while minimizing disruption and ensuring community safety on Brickell Key.