1515 Tower: A Look Back at West Palm Beach’s Former High-Rise
The 1515 Tower, initially known as The Arkona, was a notable residential high-rise located in West Palm Beach, Florida. Completed in 1974, it stood as the second tallest building in the city, featuring 30 stories and reaching a height of 98 metres (or 322 feet).
Impact of Natural Disasters
In 2004, the 1515 Tower faced significant challenges as it was heavily damaged by both Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne. The impact of these storms rendered the building uninhabitable, leading to a city-issued demolition order on August 1, 2006, due to extensive damage to its facade.
Demolition and Its Significance
The building met its end on February 14, 2010, when it was brought down through an implosion method, utilizing explosives. This event marked the 1515 Tower as the third tallest building in the United States to undergo such a demolition process.
Future Prospects
Since the demolition, several proposals have surfaced regarding a potential new building at the site located at 1515 South Flagler Drive. The area continues to be a subject of interest for developers and urban planners.
References
- 1515 Tower To Come Down This Weekend
- Last Downtown Building Implosion Happened In 1995
- Implosion of 1515 Condo Tower, West Palm Beach
External Links
Videos related to the history and demolition of the 1515 Tower can provide a visual insight into this significant event in West Palm Beach history.