Khaberni - The "Mandarin Oriental" hotel in Miami, Florida, USA, collapsed to the ground on Sunday, April 12 (April) 2026, in a scene that lasted no more than 20 seconds.
Demolition experts initiated a series of consecutive explosions early in the morning around 8:30, causing the 23-story building to collapse precisely amid a cloud of thick dust.
The operation took place on the artificial Brickell Key island, at the mouth of the Miami River opposite downtown, and officials announced it to be the largest demolition of its kind in Miami in over a decade.
The scene from the street
Spectators gathered along the shores of Biscayne Bay, holding their phones and documenting the final moments of the building that was inaugurated 25 years ago.
Before the collapse, blue and pink fireworks were displayed near the top of the tower, followed by rapid explosions that brought down the structure within moments, according to the "Associated Press".
Dust covered the area, and some of the attendees wore protective masks as they left, and residents living within 244 meters of the building were asked to stay inside their apartments with windows and doors closed throughout the blasting period.
"Swire Properties" revealed that the demolition paves the way for the "Residences at Mandarin Oriental Miami" project, an ultra-luxurious development consisting of twin towers for hotels and residences, aiming for completion in 2030.
The preparation for the operation took about two years of planning and coordination with specialized contractors and municipal entities, and internal blasting was chosen as the safest and most efficient method to maintain the project schedule and minimize disturbances to the local residents.
