Iconic Miami hotel blown up to make way for new luxury development

Massive two-tower ultraluxury hotel and residential development set to be built on waterfront

Published Apr 12, 2026  •  2 minute read

A City of Miami Fire-Rescue boat patrols in front of the former Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Brickell Key ahead of its controlled implosion, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Miami. Photo by Rebecca Blackwell /AP Photo

A waterfront hotel in Miami — considered an iconic landmark of the city — collapsed in less than 20 seconds after contractors carried out a controlled implosion of the 23-storey property on Sunday.

The Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key was demolished to make way for a new luxury residential project that includes a new hotel.

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The implosion, which happened just after 8:30 a.m., was the largest implosion for Miami in more than a decade, officials said.

Minutes prior to its collapse, pink and blue fireworks were set off near the top of the building.

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Explosions could be heard before the building collapsed like dominoes from one side, with a massive plume of dust and debris covering the entire site where the building once stood.

Hundreds had gathered from a safe distance to watch the implosion, according to the Miami Herald.

Residents within 800 feet of the exclusion area were asked to stay inside their apartments during the blast with their windows and doors closed. Though the implosion happened fast, developers said it took close to two years of planning and co-ordination with contractors and the city to carry out the operation.

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‘Luxury-branded’ property planned

The hotel, built 25 years ago, was demolished to make way for The Residences at Mandarin Oriental — a two-tower ultraluxury hotel and residential development by Swire Properties, scheduled for completion in 2030.

“The first tower, approximately 800 feet tall, will house 228 luxury-branded Mandarin Oriental Residences,” Swift Properties said on its website. “The second tower, approximately 400 feet tall, will feature what is destined to be the new North American flagship Mandarin Oriental Hotel, along with additional private residences for sale.”

The new hotel will have a total of 121 guest rooms and suites, which is considerably less than the 326 rooms in the hotel that was demolished, according to the Miami Herald.

— With files from The Associated Press.

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