Mandarin Oriental Miami Tower Imploded for New Residences and Hotel

On April 13, 2026, Swire Properties demolished the former Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Brickell Key, clearing the site for a new ultra-luxury development. The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami will feature private residences and a new flagship hotel for the brand.

This demolition is a key step for the project, which has already commanded $1.3 billion in residential sales, including two penthouse sales totaling $100 million last month. According to PROFILEmiami South Florida Real Estate and Lifestyle, Swire Properties President Dave Martin stated that the brand's legacy on Brickell Key will continue with these two towers, which are set to transform residential living and hospitality in Miami. He added that with demolition complete, the team looks forward to beginning vertical construction.

The controlled implosion of the 23-story hotel and its adjacent six-story parking structure occurred on a Sunday morning. The new development will comprise the South Tower with 228 private residences and the North Tower, which will house 70 private residences, 28 turnkey hotel collection residences, and a 121-key hotel, poised to become the Mandarin Oriental's new North American flagship.

PROFILEmiami South Florida Real Estate and Lifestyle reports that the controlled demolition, which took nearly two years of planning and coordination, involved specialized experts like The BG Group LLC, Controlled Demolition Inc., and Moss Construction, in collaboration with the City of Miami.

Leading up to the implosion, Swire Properties initiated a community outreach and safety program in early 2025. This included over 30 meetings with Brickell Key residents and the broader Brickell community, distribution of protective materials to nearby buildings, and detailed safety guidance for local businesses. According to PROFILEmiami South Florida Real Estate and Lifestyle, on-site measures included perimeter container walls, temporary barges, and vibration/air quality monitors across Brickell Key. Additionally, a pre-implosion survey of Biscayne Bay was conducted to ensure no environmental impact.

Crews will now spend up to six months removing debris from the site. Groundbreaking is expected later this year, with construction anticipated to last approximately four years, targeting a 2030 completion.

Our take: The demand for branded residences and high-end hospitality in Miami shows no signs of slowing down. Mandarin Oriental, with its established presence and reputation, is well-positioned to capitalize on this market, particularly with the impressive pre-sales figures already reported by PROFILEmiami South Florida Real Estate and Lifestyle. This project highlights a strategic move to evolve with luxury consumer expectations, delivering both exclusive residential offerings and a new hotel experience.