A once-iconic skyscraper that became a symbol of destruction in Louisiana after being devastated by back-to-back hurricanes has imploded after sitting abandoned for nearly four years.
The 22-story Hertz Tower collapsed in a matter of seconds on Saturday after a demolition crew set off a series of explosions inside. The tower fell in a huge cloud of dust and was left piled up in a heap about five stories high.
The building, formerly known as Capital One Tower, had been a dominant feature of the Lake Charles skyline for more than four decades.
But after Hurricanes Laura and Delta swept through in 2020, causing an estimated $167 million in damage to the skyscraper, the Hertz Tower became an eyesore with shattered windows and tattered tarps covering it.
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, whose administration managed to secure $7 million in private money to pay for the demolition, described the implosion as “bittersweet.”
The Hertz Tower in Lake Charles, Louisiana, collapsed in a matter of seconds on Saturday after a demolition crew set off a series of explosions inside. The skyscraper is pictured here in August 2020 and after demolition on Saturday.
The skyscraper collapsed on Saturday in a huge cloud of dust into a pile about five stories high.
Hurricane Laura, a Category 4 storm, swept through Louisiana in August 2020 with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.
The hurricane destroyed roofs, claimed more than 25 lives in the region and left streets full of mud and debris.
Hurricane Delta made landfall in southern Louisiana in October, just six weeks after Laura took a similarly destructive path along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
“I know how hard the city tried to work with various development groups to save it, but in the end … it just proved to be too difficult a task,” said Mayor Hunter, who was in office during both hurricanes, before Saturday’s implosion.
“At this point, I’m ready for a solution. It’s been four years. Enough is enough.”
For years, the building’s owners, Los Angeles-based real estate firm Hertz Investment Group, have promised to repair the structure once they reach a settlement with their insurance provider Zurich in court, The Advocate reported.
The estimated cost of bringing the building up to code was $167 million. The two sides eventually settled for an undisclosed amount.
Hertz still owns the property and the future of the site is undetermined, according to the city.
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter (not pictured), whose administration raised $7 million in private money to pay for the demolition, described the implosion as “bittersweet.” Pictured here is the moment the skyscraper collapsed Saturday.
Residents watch the implosion of the Hertz Tower on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. The once-iconic skyscraper became a symbol of destruction in Lake Charles after it was devastated by back-to-back hurricanes nearly four years ago.
The building had been a dominant feature of the Lake Charles cityscape for more than four decades. But after Hurricanes Laura and Delta hit the city in 2020, causing an estimated $167 million in damage to the skyscraper, the Hertz Tower became an eyesore. Pictured here is the moment the building imploded on Saturday.
Hertz still owns the property and the future of the site is uncertain, according to the city. The sky is seen filled with smoke after the skyscraper was demolished on Saturday.
Tuff Gary, left, and Morgan LeBlanc watched the implosion of the Hertz Tower with their sons Hudson, Tuff, Jr. and Zander on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.
Lake Charles, which sits on the banks of the Calcasieu River and a two-hour drive from Houston, is home to about 80,000 residents.
While the city is known for its many festivals, swamps, casinos and Cajun flair, the Weather Channel has also named it the “most weather-beaten city” in the United States.
The Hertz Tower offers an example of the city’s long road to recovery after two consecutive hurricanes that caused an estimated $22 billion in damage, according to the National Hurricane Center.
While there are signs of rebuilding and growth in much of Lake Charles, there are still buildings that remain in disarray and residents living in the same conditions as four years ago.
Locals are still waiting for financial relief to rebuild their homes and are looking for affordable housing after hurricane destruction exacerbated the housing crisis or are stuck in court with their insurance provider to get a fair payout.