Unique, circular 19-storey St. Ann's Heritage Tower imploded

At the end of last month a rather unique building was imploded in Irondequoit, New York.

It was called the St. Ann's Heritage Tower and was 19 storey's high. 39 years ago it began life as an assisted living building with the occupants averaging 66 years in age. But that kept rising until the average was 88 and the nursing staff were all specialists in elderly care. Having to traverse 19 storeys didn't help with such an elderly set of "patients".

The implosion was carried out by Controlled Demolition Inc. A special approach was required due to the circular construction of the tower. The structure actually consisted of two parts: the central elevator shaft and the outer, reinforced concrete columns holding up the floors.

In total, 160 pounds of explosives were used to allow the building to fall mostly under gravity. The explosives were required to weaken it enough to do so.



Source: WHEC