Reliably Austin
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

This Downtown Austin Building Was Demolished Sunday

Eddie Gaspar/KUT
Ashbel Smith Hall in downtown Austin will be imploded on Sunday to make way for a new office tower.

UPDATE:  Ashbel Smith Hall in downtown Austin was demolished Sunday morning to make way for a new office tower. 

ORIGINAL STORY: Heads up: You might hear a really big boom in downtown Austin this Sunday — followed by the collapse of a 10-story building.

Ashbel Smith Hall at 601 Colorado Street will be demolished in an implosion that's expected to begin at 8 a.m. Sunday. The time could change, depending on weather conditions. Police will block off the area beginning early Sunday.

Project managers claim this implosion will be the largest in Austin's history. That might make it tempting to head downtown to watch, but the public is being asked to stay away. The building should collapse in about 10 to 12 seconds after the demolition charges detonate.

Ashbel Smith Hall was built in 1974 as administrative offices for the University of Texas System. It's being torn down to make way for a new office tower.

Matt Largey is the Projects Editor at KUT. That means doing a little bit of everything: editing reporters, producing podcasts, reporting, training, producing live events and always being on the lookout for things that make his ears perk up. Got a tip? Email him at mlargey@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @mattlargey.
Related Content