A hotel at one of Miami’s most exclusive locations was demolished to make way for something even bigger. Demolition experts conducted the controlled implosion of the former Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Brickell Key, on 12 April. The human-made island is at the mouth of the Miami River, across from downtown.

This marks the largest implosion for Miami in more than a decade. The 23-story building opened 25 years ago and collapsed within seconds following the blast. According to Swire Properties, the demolition will make way for the groundbreaking of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami.