MGM Harmon Tower to be imploded.
August 15th, 2011 at 5:04:35 PM
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...within 6 months.
It's not absolutely certain. I think there might still be some suing going on.
I wonder if Vegas owns any kind of record for blowing up its own buildings? (per population size if not total numbers)
It's not absolutely certain. I think there might still be some suing going on.
I wonder if Vegas owns any kind of record for blowing up its own buildings? (per population size if not total numbers)
Sanitized for Your Protection
August 15th, 2011 at 5:12:34 PM
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Quote: rxwineI wonder if Vegas owns any kind of record for blowing up its own buildings? (per population size if not total numbers)
Me too. I think if someone put together a list of the largest buildings in the US ever imploded, deliberately (not counting 9-11), Vegas would be all over it.
This sounds like a job for Paco.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 15th, 2011 at 5:23:16 PM
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I always thought the various lawsuits would mean there would be a court ordered forensic demolition rather than just a Big Cloud of Dust type thing.
If you build plain vanilla and put money into decorations its easy to tear down and start anew every now and then with a bigger better splashier plain vanilla building with press releases.
If you build plain vanilla and put money into decorations its easy to tear down and start anew every now and then with a bigger better splashier plain vanilla building with press releases.
August 15th, 2011 at 5:24:20 PM
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Perini really screwed up on that project. They should have to eat the whole cost. There is a small potential for it to fall over and hit a populated CityCenter structure.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
August 15th, 2011 at 6:03:55 PM
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It will take six months to prepare and implode the tower structure and an additional four months for debris removal once the lawsuits have been settled...and that could be years away.
Joseph Kulas
August 15th, 2011 at 6:09:36 PM
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Assuming it happens that will be one ugly shell for a few months. Guessing they will be striping all the glass off so all the building is exposed.
That is one implosion I'd like to see though. I don't think I've seen one in the middle of so many other buildings before.
That is one implosion I'd like to see though. I don't think I've seen one in the middle of so many other buildings before.
August 15th, 2011 at 8:42:14 PM
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Quote: WizardMe too. I think if someone put together a list of the largest buildings in the US ever imploded, deliberately (not counting 9-11), Vegas would be all over it.
This sounds like a job for Paco.
Only 20 buildings over 100 meters have ever been destroyed in America. Half were in NYC, and only 2 were in Las Vegas. But keep in mind that they were building skyscrapers in NYC decades before anywhere else.
But other than South Padre Island, Las Vegas is the smallest city.
They are pretty good at imploding buildings in crowded city blocks. They may have to spend more time removing glass before setting the fuse.
| Name | City | feet | story | year | usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landmark Hotel & Casino | Las Vegas | 364 | 31 | 1969 | hotel |
| Stardust West Tower | Las Vegas | 356 | 32 | 1976 | hotel |
| Singer Building | New York City | 612 | 47 | 1908 | office |
| Seven World Trade Center | New York City | 570 | 47 | 1987 | office |
| Deutsche Bank | New York City | 517 | 39 | 1974 | office |
| City Investing Building | New York City | 487 | 33 | 1908 | office |
| Savoy-Plaza Hotel | New York City | 446 | 33 | 1930 | hotel |
| National City Bank Building | New York City | 432 | 32 | 1928 | office |
| Hanover National Bank Building | New York City | 385 | 22 | 1903 | office |
| Knickerbocker Trust Building | New York City | 381 | 27 | 1909 | office |
| 60 Wall Street | New York City | 352 | 26 | 1905 | office |
| Manhattan Life Insurance Building | New York City | 348 | 18 | 1894 | office |
| New York Coliseum Tower | New York City | 345 | 26 | 1956 | office |
| Tower Building | Baltimore | 330 | 16 | 1912 | office |
| Morrison Hotel | Chicago | 526 | 45 | 1925 | hotel |
| Greater Hudson Store | Detroit | 410 | 29 | 1911 | office / retail |
| Landmark Tower | Fort Worth | 380 | 30 | 1957 | office |
| One Meridian Plaza | Philadelphia | 492 | 38 | 1972 | office |
| First National Bank Building | Pittsburgh | 387 | 26 | 1912 | office |
| Ocean Tower | South Padre Island | 381 | 31 | - | residential |
August 15th, 2011 at 8:46:16 PM
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By "largest" I was thinking total volume, not necessarily height. Still, an interesting list, thanks. The "year" I think refers to the year the building was made. Some of those were probably imploded due to 9-11 damage, but still survived the infamous day, to be imploded later. I was trying to rule out those.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 15th, 2011 at 9:18:12 PM
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Quote: WizardBy "largest" I was thinking total volume, not necessarily height. Still, an interesting list, thanks. The "year" I think refers to the year the building was made. Some of those were probably imploded due to 9-11 damage, but still survived the infamous day, to be imploded later. I was trying to rule out those.
Yes, year does refer to when the building was dedicated. With the exception of Seven World Trade Center and Deutsch Bank, none of the other ones was demolished as a result of 911. Nearly all of them were demolished more than a decade ago. Singer building (world's tallest) was destroyed in 1968 to make room for new construction.
| Name | City | feet | story | year | demolished | usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanover National Bank Building | New York City | 385 | 22 | 1903 | 1931 | office |
| Savoy-Plaza Hotel | New York City | 446 | 33 | 1930 | 1964 | hotel |
| Knickerbocker Trust Building | New York City | 381 | 27 | 1909 | 1964 | office |
| Manhattan Life Insurance Building | New York City | 348 | 18 | 1894 | 1964 | office |
| Morrison Hotel | Chicago | 526 | 45 | 1925 | 1965 | hotel |
| Singer Building | New York City | 612 | 47 | 1908 | 1968 | office |
| City Investing Building | New York City | 487 | 33 | 1908 | 1968 | office |
| First National Bank Building | Pittsburgh | 387 | 26 | 1912 | 1970 | office |
| 60 Wall Street | New York City | 352 | 26 | 1905 | 1977 | office |
| Tower Building | Baltimore | 330 | 16 | 1912 | 1986 | office |
| Landmark Hotel & Casino | Las Vegas | 364 | 31 | 1969 | 1995 | hotel |
| Greater Hudson Store | Detroit | 410 | 29 | 1911 | 1998 | office / retail |
| One Meridian Plaza | Philadelphia | 492 | 38 | 1972 | 1999 | office |
| New York Coliseum Tower | New York City | 345 | 26 | 1956 | 2000 | office |
| Seven World Trade Center | New York City | 570 | 47 | 1987 | 2001 | office |
| Deutsche Bank | New York City | 517 | 39 | 1974 | 2001 | office |
| Landmark Tower | Fort Worth | 380 | 30 | 1957 | 2006 | office |
| Stardust West Tower | Las Vegas | 356 | 32 | 1976 | 2007 | hotel |
| Ocean Tower | South Padre Island | 381 | 31 | - | 2009 | residential |
| National City Bank Building | New York City | 432 | 32 | 1928 | - | office |
Ocean Tower was uncompleted.
None of these buildings is as tall as the Fountainbleau.
I figured that volume was more important than height, but there aren't a lot of databases of buildings by volume.
I have never heard of a large hotel (1000 rooms or more) being destroyed except in Vegas and at the Kremlin. Most hotels that size are still fully functional.
August 15th, 2011 at 9:20:32 PM
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Quote: pacomartinI figured that volume was more important than height, but there aren't a lot of databases of buildings by volume.
How about just numbers? How many big buildings have been imploded in Vegas?
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
August 15th, 2011 at 9:32:13 PM
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Quote: NareedHow about just numbers? How many big buildings have been imploded in Vegas?
Here is one list
August 15th, 2011 at 9:53:42 PM
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You kind of worried me with the first list -- cause I thought I had imagined many more being taken down.
Sanitized for Your Protection
August 15th, 2011 at 9:57:20 PM
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I imagine the easiest building to implode would be the Luxor.
Sanitized for Your Protection
August 15th, 2011 at 10:15:46 PM
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Cool list. I remember all those hotels, but when they're
gone I never even think about them.
gone I never even think about them.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
August 16th, 2011 at 5:15:29 AM
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Video of Landmark Tower in Texas imploding . The demolition experts are pretty good at blowing up a building in a crowded urban area and not destroying the buildings around them.
August 16th, 2011 at 7:27:36 AM
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Quote: pacomartinVideo of Landmark Tower in Texas imploding . The demolition experts are pretty good at blowing up a building in a crowded urban area and not destroying the buildings around them.
No question of that.
But the tons of dust kicked up when the target collapses are a major nuissance for everyone around, up to several blocks away. Then you have a weeks-long parade of debris removal trucks and heavy machinery, with a sideshow of people with hand tools. It's almost as bad as actual construction.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
August 16th, 2011 at 10:14:55 AM
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The only reason it's not worse, is because of the speed.Quote: NareedThen you have a weeks-long parade of debris removal trucks and heavy machinery, with a sideshow of people with hand tools. It's almost as bad as actual construction.
Did anyone notice? In the list Paco provided, the first two implosions list the date the hotel closed as well as imploded. The implosions were only 4 months after closing. DAMN! That's quick!
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
August 16th, 2011 at 10:31:49 AM
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I vow to watch this implosion. The Frontier and Stardust were very late at night, so I didn't bother with them. I can't be bothered to stay awake to midnight on new years any more -- getting too old. However, this time, I'll make an exception. In fact, I might try to get a room at the Planet Hollywood facing the Harmon for a good view. If so, any forum members will be welcome to join me for the show.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 16th, 2011 at 11:36:31 AM
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Quote: WizardI vow to watch this implosion. The Frontier and Stardust were very late at night, so I didn't bother with them. I can't be bothered to stay awake to midnight on new years any more -- getting too old. However, this time, I'll make an exception. In fact, I might try to get a room at the Planet Hollywood facing the Harmon for a good view. If so, any forum members will be welcome to join me for the show.
Video of 70 structures being explosively demolished. It is pretty impressive how they control the debris.
As near as I can tell the same job would take about 2 months with a wrecking ball. I don't think that we can rule out that possibility.
August 16th, 2011 at 12:50:53 PM
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I'm told that planning usually takes 8 months, so there may well have been structural engineers analyzing plans and taking samples prior to the hotel being formally closed.Quote: DJTeddyBearThe implosions were only 4 months after closing. DAMN! That's quick!
August 16th, 2011 at 1:40:52 PM
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It's not just the planning.
Prior to an implosion, there is a lot of prep work.
For one thing, they gut the entire building. I.E. Not just the windows: Everything not nailed down, and a lot that is, gets removed.
Then they gotts drill all the holes and place the charges, etc.
I just can't see it getting done that quickly - even if they did have all the planning work completed ahead of time.
Prior to an implosion, there is a lot of prep work.
For one thing, they gut the entire building. I.E. Not just the windows: Everything not nailed down, and a lot that is, gets removed.
Then they gotts drill all the holes and place the charges, etc.
I just can't see it getting done that quickly - even if they did have all the planning work completed ahead of time.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
August 16th, 2011 at 1:51:45 PM
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The cost of the planning, gutting the building, planting the charges and blowing it up, and removing the debris, must be the same as building another structure half its size. Or so I would think.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
August 16th, 2011 at 4:06:24 PM
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And ironically, it is half the size it was supposed to be....
"Then you can admire the real gambler, who has neither eaten, slept, thought nor lived, he has so smarted under the scourge of his martingale, so suffered on the rack of his desire for a coup at trente-et-quarante" - Honore de Balzac, 1829
August 17th, 2011 at 7:35:39 AM
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Quote: thecesspitAnd ironically, it is half the size it was supposed to be....
Implosion of Strip hotel tower complex but doable claims that There's two, maybe three people in the world that can shoot a building like that.
Normally you build a complex in stages. If they had never built the Harmon until some of the other buildings went up, maybe they wouldn't have a building at all.
August 17th, 2011 at 8:06:08 AM
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I recall one company allowed Hollywood cameras inside the building for footage to be used in a movie. I just wish the demolitions companies would soak everything down so we would see less dust.
Please Note:
The political mucky mucks in Vegas just held a day of hot air generation regarding other stalled projects from both the view of safety and the view of eyesores that cost the local economy. Under consideration: a property maintenance ordinance addressing issues of "appearance" rather than just structural safety. This would be similar to the ordinances some towns have requiring that store front windows not be soaped or boarded-up if a business is closed but that the premises appear to be functioning despite the premises having been vacated. The problem is that unfinished skyscrapers are structurally sound and in the Las Vegas climate will probably remain sound for decades and decades. So its not really a safety issue. And its hard to impose any of this on existing but abandoned construction particularly when the developers have already waltzed in and out of various court-room and politically based cleansing procedures.
Please Note:
The political mucky mucks in Vegas just held a day of hot air generation regarding other stalled projects from both the view of safety and the view of eyesores that cost the local economy. Under consideration: a property maintenance ordinance addressing issues of "appearance" rather than just structural safety. This would be similar to the ordinances some towns have requiring that store front windows not be soaped or boarded-up if a business is closed but that the premises appear to be functioning despite the premises having been vacated. The problem is that unfinished skyscrapers are structurally sound and in the Las Vegas climate will probably remain sound for decades and decades. So its not really a safety issue. And its hard to impose any of this on existing but abandoned construction particularly when the developers have already waltzed in and out of various court-room and politically based cleansing procedures.
August 17th, 2011 at 8:19:14 AM
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Very true, but if they don't sink their money into the project, then they bank won't keep funding their commitment. Many an entrepreneur would have walked away when things were turning sour but the entrepreneur had already spent his money and was now spending the bank's money and so didn't care what was economically feasible once the foundation is well under way.Quote: pacomartinNormally you build a complex in stages. If they had never built the Harmon until some of the other buildings went up, maybe they wouldn't have a building at all.
The problem with the Harmon was ultimately one of Construction Management with overtones of racial bias and entrenched sticky palms. The economy affected later decisions but the improper rebar spacing is the crux of the problem and that is something that is open and notorious to all the construction trades on the site, all the clerks and all the inspectors. Everybody was looking but nobody was seeing. Greased palms and sticky fingers as to some matters may be endemic but the spacing of rebar is a critical matter. At some point systemic corruption erodes too much. That wall around New York City's Central Park cost ten times what was sensible, but it sure is still standing today! It took a long time and it cost the taxpayers way too much, but nobody skimped on its actual construction.
August 17th, 2011 at 9:36:05 AM
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Quote: FleaStiffThe problem with the Harmon was ultimately one of Construction Management with overtones of racial bias and entrenched sticky palms. The economy affected later decisions but the improper rebar spacing is the crux of the problem and that is something that is open and notorious to all the construction trades on the site, all the clerks and all the inspectors.
A quick web search finds several stories involving accidents with rebar cages. Here is one from 2009 at the Mcarran airport involving the Perini construction company. The same company involved in the Harmon Hotel project.
