On Saturday, after years of being a symbol of destruction brought by back-to-back hurricanes in Louisiana in 2020, the abandoned Hertz Tower was finally demolished. Formerly known as the Capital One Tower, it had been battered and left dilapidated by Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta, both striking the region six weeks apart in that year.
The 22-story skyscraper was brought down using a series of explosions inside, captured on video during its implosion. The demolition created a massive dirty cloud that erupted into the air and spread across the area, covering up what had become an eyesore after years of failed promises to restore the once prominent tower.
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter played a significant role in securing $7 million in private funds to pay for the demolition, describing the event as “bittersweet.” The city had worked hard to save the building but ultimately, it was deemed too challenging a task.
The Hertz Tower’s history of battered by hurricanes began when Hurricane Laura struck with Category 4 force, destroying buildings and causing over 25 fatalities in the region. Shortly after, Hurricane Delta hit the area, further worsening the damages. These two storms combined are estimated to have caused $22 billion in damages, as reported by the National Hurricane Center.
The Hertz Tower’s shattered windows, torn tarps, and flooding damage were a testament to the devastation brought upon by these natural disasters. The Hertz Investment Group, which owns the property, had pledged to repair the building once their insurance dispute with Zurich was settled. However, the estimated cost of $167 million for repairs seemed too steep, resulting in an undisclosed settlement between the two parties.
With the demolition now complete, city officials said that Hertz still owns the property; however, its future remains uncertain. The Hertz Investment Group has not yet provided a statement regarding their plans for the site.
