A team of engineers, contractors, and construction workers imploded the former Mandarin Hotel in Miami on Sunday morning, April 12. The demolition by explosives marked the end of an era for the iconic Brickell Key property.
The removal of the hotel reflects ongoing changes in Miami’s development market, where developers are replacing older buildings with new luxury condominium towers. Such implosions are rare in the city, especially for a building as young as the Mandarin, which was nearly 26 years old.
The Mandarin Hotel opened in November 2000 and was known for its bayfront location and high-end amenities like MO bar and La Mar restaurant. Swire Properties closed the hotel last May after years of planning its redevelopment. In its place, Swire is constructing a two-tower luxury condo and hotel project that will also carry the Mandarin name. The developer has already presold two penthouses at nearly $50 million each—a likely record for Miami—at about $6,300 per square foot. Total sales volume at the project has reached more than $1.3 billion so far according to Swire Properties, with unit prices ranging from $4.9 million to $100 million. The new development is expected to be completed by 2030.
Swire has played a major role in developing much of Brickell Key and will also undertake a multimillion-dollar seawall replacement project on the man-made island—a topic that drew concerns from residents last year related to this latest implosion.
Observers note that further redevelopment may be coming to Brickell Key as reports suggest there could be a condo buyout nearby on the island.
