A once iconic skyscraper that became a symbol of destruction in Louisiana after it was devastated by two back-to-back hurricanes has imploded after sitting empty for nearly four years.
The 22-story Hertz Tower collapsed in seconds Saturday after a demolition crew set off a series of explosions inside, sending the tower crashing down in a huge cloud of dust in a pile about five stories high.
The building, formerly known as the Capital One Tower, was a defining feature of the Lake Charles skyline for more than four decades.
But after Hurricanes Laura and Delta tore through the skyscraper in 2020, causing an estimated $167 million in damage, the Hertz Tower became an eyesore with broken windows and covered in shredded tarps.
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, whose administration successfully secured $7 million in private financing to pay for the demolition, described the implosion as “bittersweet.”
The Hertz Tower in Lake Charles, Louisiana collapsed in seconds Saturday after a demolition crew set off a series of explosions inside. The skyscraper is pictured in August 2020 and after Saturday’s demolition
The skyscraper collapsed on Saturday in a large cloud of dust into a pile about five stories high
Hurricane Laura, a Category 4 storm, tore through Louisiana in August 2020 with sustained winds of up to 150 mph (240 km/h).
The hurricane destroyed roofs, killed more than 25 people in the region and left mud and debris on the streets.
In October, Hurricane Delta made landfall in southern Louisiana, just six weeks after Laura followed a similarly devastating path to the U.S. Gulf Coast.
“I know how hard the city tried to work with various development groups to save the city, but ultimately … it was too much of a challenge,” Mayor Hunter, who was in office during both hurricanes, said before Saturday’s implosion.
“At this point I’m ready for a resolution. It’s been four years. It’s been long enough.”
For years, the building’s owners, Los Angeles-based real estate company Hertz Investment Group, promised to repair the structure once they reached a settlement with their insurance company Zurich in court, The Advocate reported.
The estimated cost of bringing the building back up to code was $167 million. Ultimately, the two parties settled for an undisclosed amount.
According to the city, Hertz still owns the property and the future of the location is still unclear.
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter (not pictured), whose administration successfully secured $7 million in private money to pay for the demolition, described the implosion as “bittersweet.” The photo shows the moment the skyscraper imploded Saturday
Locals watch the implosion of the Hertz Tower on Saturday, September 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 was a dominant feature of the Lake Charles skyline for more than four decades. But after Hurricanes Laura and Delta tore through the skyscraper in 2020, causing an estimated $167 million in damage, Hertz Tower became an eyesore. The photo shows the moment the building imploded on Saturday
Hertz still owns the property and the future of the site has not yet been determined, the city said. The photo shows the smoke-filled sky after the skyscraper was demolished on Saturday
Tuff Gary, left, and Morgan LeBlanc watched the implosion of the Hertz Tower with their children Hudson, Tuff, Jr. and Zander on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Lake Charles is located on the banks of the Calcasieu River and is a two-hour drive from Houston. It is home to approximately 80,000 people.
Although the city is known for its many festivals, bayous, casinos and Cajun atmosphere, it has been called “America’s most weather-beaten city” by the Weather Channel.
The Hertz Tower is an example of the city’s long road to recovery from two back-to-back 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, buildings remain in disrepair and residents continue to live in the same conditions as four years ago.
Locals are still waiting for financial help to rebuild their homes and are looking for affordable housing after the hurricanes’ devastation exacerbated the housing crisis. They are also involved in a lawsuit with their insurer to receive fair compensation.