LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC/Gray News) – In a matter of seconds, the tallest building in Lake Charles, Louisiana, disappeared from the city’s skyline.
The Capital One Tower, originally the CM Tower, was imploded Saturday morning after a four-year vacancy.
Many residents fought until the end for it to be repaired, while others were glad to see what had become an eyesore go.
The iconic high-rise was badly damaged in Hurricane Laura in August 2020.
After a long battle with its insurance company, building owner Hertz Investment Group put the tower up for sale.
City officials searched for a buyer, but it soon became clear that repairing the building was too daunting a task for most developers to consider. Hertz made the ultimate decision to have the building torn down.
The city set aside $7 million of private money from Hertz’s insurance settlement to fund the implosion.
People gathered along the exclusion zone barriers in downtown Lake Charles to watch the historic implosion.
Demolition crews will spend the next few weeks cleaning up the rubble from the property.
What will happen next remains to be seen, but Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter said the city is working to encourage new construction that will benefit downtown.
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