Controlled demolition brings down luxury Miami hotel in seconds

The implosion of the former Mandarin Oriental will make way for an even larger building on the property.

The 23-story Mandarin Oriental hotel on Brickell Key in Miami was demolished in a controlled implosion, marking the city's largest such operation in over a decade. The building collapsed in under 20 seconds, making way for The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a luxury two-tower development expected to be completed by 2030.

The Mandarin Oriental Miami was demolished in a controlled implosion on April 12, 2026, clearing the way for the $1 billion-plus One Island Drive redevelopment on Brickell Key. The 23-story hotel, which opened in 2000, was brought down in approximately 20 seconds during a tightly coordinated operation led by Swire Properties.

The 23-story Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a premier luxury destination overlooking Biscayne Bay, collapsed in a controlled implosion that lasted less than 20 seconds. The demolition is being described as the largest building implosion in Miami in over a decade. The cleared site will host The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a two-tower development combining a new hotel and high-end residences, scheduled for completion in 2030.

The demolition of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Brickell Key was the largest implosion in Miami in over a decade. Residents within 800 feet were advised to stay indoors during the blast. The site will be redeveloped into The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a two-tower luxury development scheduled for completion in 2030.

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Brickell Key was demolished to make way for The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a two-tower ultra-luxury development scheduled for completion in 2030. The demolition was the largest in Miami in over a decade, with residents within 800 feet advised to stay indoors during the blast.