Five cities where the “then” tallest building was leveled by choice – UPDATED

Identified below are five American cities where the tallest skyscraper was demolished (imploded) by choice versus being destroyed by and act of war, storms, earthquake, terrorism, or other tragic event. Though there is a caveat to that summary. A corporate bankruptcy led to the loss of one of these towers and two hurricanes damaged another one beyond repair and restoration. Both of those are tragic events, as well — they just happened to take longer to have an permanent impact on the building’s viability versus a sudden event.

These other three buildings were eventually lost due to time and deterioration after being vacant for an extended period. And as time passed, the cost-effectiveness of rehabilitating them became prohibitive.

With three of the cases, new developments have replaced or will soon replace the lost skyscraper with new uses on the properties. In Lake Charles, the city has purchased the property and will be developing and lakefront amphitheater on the site. An adjacent hotel is also planned. The Flint site is now a park and green space.

Fortunately for four of these cities, the loss of a signature skyscraper has had a silver lining, as new developments are already revitalizing three of the sites, and exciting plans have been developed for the other. Once completed, it is hoped all four redevelopments will find long-term success and lead to further investments in the surrounding vicinity.

Peace!

*Added Flint, MI on 4/26/25

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Bethlehem, PA – Martin Tower (1972-2019) = 332 feet/21 stories

• Vacated entirely by 2007 after Bethlehem Steel bankruptcy several years earlier. A recent master plan for the site is provided below.

Source: en.wikipedia.org Source: lehighvalleylive.com

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Evansville, IN – Old National Bank Tower/a.k.a. 420 Main (1970-2021) = 248 feet/18 stories

• Vacant after ONB moved its headquarters to the riverfront in 2004. A new mixed-use development (424 Main) is under development on the site (see second image below).

Source: renacentinc.com Source: news.wnin.com

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Added on 4/26/25:

Flint, MI – Genesee Towers (1968-2013) = 250 feet/19 stories – only one building despite the name being plural

• Poor maintenance and loss of its occupants. Currently a park and green space.

Source: wcrz.com Park site where Genesee Towers once stood – Source: mlive.com

Frankfort, KY – Capital Plaza Office Tower (1972-2018) = 338 feet/28 stories

• Vacated due to poor structural condition in 2016. Portions of the site were redeveloped with the Mayo-Underwood Building and parking garage (see second image below).

Source: uknews.yahoo.com Mayo-Underwood Building – Source: reddrawdev.com

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Lake Charles, LA – Capital One/Hertz Tower (1982-2024) = 314 feet (not including antenna)/22 stories

• Badly damaged by Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020. A lakefront amphitheater and hotel will be developed on the site.

Source: newsplus21.com New Lake Charles lakefront amphitheater – Source: facebook.com

SOURCES:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Tower
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/420_Main#
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_Plaza_Office_Tower_(Frankfort%2C_Kentucky)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_One_Tower_(Louisiana)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_voluntarily_demolished_buildings
• https://martinabros.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2020-August-MAPEI-Feature.pdf
• https://107jamz.com/big-changes-coming-to-downtown-lake-charles-new-development-to-former-capital-one-tower-site/
• https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=581760070906906&set=pcb.581760137573566
• https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2025/02/martin-tower-sites-1st-new-buildings-since-19-implosion-set-to-open-this-summer.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesee_Towers
• https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2015/06/first_look_at_downtown_flints.html

#buildings #cities #demolition #history #implosions #landUse #mixedUses #planning #redevelopment #revitalization #skylines #skyscrapers

Working list: America’s tallest hydropillar water towers

The following list identifies the tallest hydropillar water towers identified to date in the United States, as well as those for which the height has not bee identified. As more are identified, they will be added to the lists. Hydropillars are sometimes also referred to as fluted, fluted column, or fluted pillar water towers.

Source: facebook.com

Hydropillars started to become popular in the 1960s and are still being constructed today, though not to the extent there were in the 1970s and 1980s. The oldest ones on these lists date back to 1967, while the newest ones on these lists were completed in 2018.

Source: commons.wikipmedia.org

Hydropillar water towers are constructed with an exterior all carbon steel from the ground up to and including the tank. The carbon steel hides the structural elements and are often wide/open enough to house a mixed of certain government funcitions or even in four cases (Dublin, OH; Union Township, OH; Shelbyville, IN; and Halthom City, TX – which moved out of the tower in 2022) to a have had complete fire station built within the base of the elevated water tank.

Union Township, OH – Source: utclermont.gov Shelbyville, IN – Source: shelbyville.in.gov

The storage capacity and adaptability of the lower portions of the tower are among the chief advantages of the hydropillar. On the down side, the entire exterior of structure must be maintained on a regular basis, whereas the concrete pedestal f a composite tower requires less maintenance. Peace!

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Wyandotte Hydropillar: Wyandotte, MI = 215 feet

2. University of South Florida Hydropillar: Tampa, FL = 212 feet

3. Kirk Road Hydropillar (2005): Austintown, OH = 209 feet

4. Little Canada Water Tower (1997): Little Canada, MN = 192 feet

5. Aggieland Hydropillar (1975): College Station, TX = 186 feet – added 3/3/25

6. Eagan/Inver Grove Heights Hydropillar (1997):Eagan, MN = 183 feet

7. PWS District #1 Arnold Hydropillar (1976): Arnold, MO = 182 feet

8-9. Wehrle “Big Blue” Hydropillar (1987): Amherst, NY and Ripon Hydropillar: Ripon, CA = 175 feet

10. Friendship Park Hydropillar (1960s): Yuma, AZ ~ 170 feet

11-13. Carter Park Hydropillar (1985): Bowling Green OH; Western Hydropillar (1986): Bowling Green OH; and Alsip Water Tower #2 (1967): Alsip, IL = 165 feet

14-15. Hibbing Public Utilities Water/Ansley Tower (2003); Hibbing, MN and Buzzards Bay Hydropillar: Bourne, MA = 162 feet

16-18. Keokuk Hydropillar (2011): Keokuk, IA; London Road Hydropillar (1980s): Delaware, OH and Urbandale/170th Street Hydropillar (2006): Urbandale, IA = 160 feet

19. Hibbing/Mesabi Water Tower (1982): Hibbing, MN = 157 feet

20-22. City of Champlin Hydropillar (1984): Champlin, MN; Salisbury Township Hydropillar: Allentown, PA; and Lake Mary Hydropillar: Lake Mary, FL = 150 feet

23-24. DeSoto Hydropillar: DeSoto, IA and North “Fluted” Water Tower: Meridian Township, MI ~ 148 feet – Meridian added 3/18/25

25. Delano Water Tower (2007): Delano, MN = 146 feet

26. Pleasant Hill Hydropillar (1977): Pleasant Hill, IA = 142 feet

27. Le Mars Hydropillar (2015): Le Mars, IA = 140 feet

28. 50th Avenue NW Hydropillar: Rochester, MN = 137 feet

29. Alsip Water Tower #1 (1967): Alsip, IL ~ 134 feet

30. Stone Harbor Water Tower: Stone Harbor, NJ = 133 feet

31. DeKalb Hydropillar (1967): DeKalb, IL ~ 131.5 feet

32. 16th Street Hydropillar (1998): Sedalia, MO = 131 feet

33. Florence Y’all Water Tower (1974): Florence, KY = 130 feet

34. Andover Hydropillar (1985): Andover, MN = 127 feet

35. Coon Rapids Hydropillar (2003): Coon Rapids, MN = 125 feet

36. Oak Park Avenue Hydropillar: Oak Forest, IL = 122 feet37. Millersville Road Hydropillar (ca 2018): Lancaster, PA = 113 feet

37. Cherry Street Hydropillar (2004): Erie, PA = 110 feet

38-39. Mitchellville Water Tower: Mitchellville, IA and North Suburban Public Utility Water Tower (1971): Glenview, IL = 100 feet

40. Maple Avenue Water Tower (1988): Downers Grove, IL = 77.5+ feet

41. 40th Street North Hydropillar (1990): Plymouth, MN = 72+ feet

Source: pttg.hexagon.tools

More information needed:

• Wind Creek Casino Hydropillar: Atmore, AL
• Harvest-Monrovia Water Authority: Harvest, AL
• Troy “Trojan Territory” Hydropillar (1998): Troy, AL
• Blackhawk Hydropillar: Pea Ridge, AR
• Madera Valley Water Hydropillar: Madera, CA
• Mistlin Sports Park Hydropillar: Ripon, CA
• Pueblo Hydropillar: Pueblo, CO
• Westminster Hydropillar: Westminster, CO
• Bonita Springs Hydropillar: Bonita Springs, FL = 151 feet – demolished in 2019
• Hull Hydropillar: Hull, IA
• Northeast Hydropillar: Newton, IA
• Southeast Hydropillar: Newton, IA
• West Des Moines Hydropillar (2005): West Des Moines, IA
• Addison Hydropillar: Addison, IL
• Dolton Water Tower: Dolton, IL
• Worth Water Tower: Worth, IL
• 131st Street Hydropillar: Carmel, IN
• Franklin Township Hydropillar: Indianapolis, IN
• Shelbyville Hydropillar: Shelbyville, IN – contains a fire station
• Hays Hydropillar: Hays, KS
• BFWC Hydropillar: Florence, KY
• Lawrence Hydropillar: Lawrence, MA
• Bowie Triple Hydropillars: Bowie, MD
• Corporate Drive Hydropillar (2004): Charles City, MD
• Durand Hydropillar: Durand, MI
• Andover Water Tower (1989): Andover, MN =
• Anoka Water Tower (2001): Anoka, MN =
• Arden Hills Water Tower (1968): Arden Hills, MN
• Baxter Water Tower: Baxter, MN
• Arbor Point Water Tower (2005): Inver Grove Heights, MN
• Asher Water Tower (2014): Inver Grove Heights, MN
• Mankato Hydropillar: Mankato, MN
• New Hope Hydropillar: New Hope, MN
• North Water Tower (1992): Orono, MN
• White Bear Lake Hydropillar: White Bear Lake, MN
• Belton Hydropillar: Belton, MO
• Missouri American Hydropillar: Joplin, MO
• North Hydropillar (2001): Macon, MO
• New Melle Hydropillar: New Melle, MO
• Hydropillar Tower: Raytown, MO
• West Hydropillar (1985): St. Charles, MO
• Merit Health Hydropillar: Hattiesburg, MS
• Atlantic Beach Water Tower: Atlantic Beach, NC x 2
• Fayetteville Hydropillar: Fayetteville, NC
• I-74 Ward Water Tower: High Point, NC
• All-American City Hydropillar: Lumberton, NC
• Scottsbluff Water Tower: Scottsbluff, NE
• Broad Street Hydropillar: Burlington City, NJ
• Eastern Water Service Hydropillar (2018): Manchester Township, NJ
• OCWA Hydropillar: Brewster, NY
• Colvin Hydropillar (2005): Tonawanda, NY
• Ashland Hydropillar: Ashland, OH
• Centerville Hydropillar: Centerville, OH
• Cleveland Hydropillar: Cleveland, OH
• Dublin Water Tower: Dublin, OH – may have been removed?
• Dublin/Washington Township Hydropillar: Dublin, OH – contains fire station
• Five Points Hydropillars (x2): Five Points, OH
• La Grange Hydropillar: La Grange, OH
• Marysville Hydropillar: Marysville, OH
• Clermont County Water Tower: Miami Township, OH =
• Clermont County Hydropillar: Union Township, OH – contains a fire station
• New Middletown Hydropillar: New Middletown, OH
• Ranger Pride Hydropillar: North Ridgeville, OH
• Downtown “R.M. Davis” Hydropillar: Piqua, OH
• Butler County Water Tower: West Chester, OH
• Bulldogs Caterpillar: Okmulgee, OK
• North Wales Water Tower: Chalfont, PA
• East Lake Hydropillar: Erie, PA
• Pennsylvania American Water Tower:
• Alligator Rural Water Tower: McBee, SC
• Manitowoc Hydropillar: Manitowoc, WI
• Oshkosh Hydropillar: Oshkosh, WI
• Blaine Water Tower (1981): Blaine, MN
• Water Tower #1 (1972): Bloomington, MN
• Water Tower #4 (1973): Brooklyn Center, MN
• Water Tower #1 (1998): Brooklyn Park, MN
• Halthom City Hydropillar (1983): Halthom City, TX – once contained a fire station
• Huntsville Hydropillar: Huntsville, TX
• Rainbow Water Tower: Odessa, TX
• Water Plant #3 Hydropillar: Shenandoah, TX
• Bealeton Hydropillar: Bealeton, VA
• Bellwood Tank Hydropillar (1987): Bellwood, VA
• Water Tower #1: Cambridge, MN
• Water Tower #1 (2010): Carver, MN
• Water Tower #3 (1995): Chanhassen, MN
• Industrial Water Tower (1971); Chaska, MN
• Symphony Hills/Bavaria Water Tower (2006): Chaska, MN
• Hundertmark Water Tower(2002): Chaska, MN
• Chisago City Water Tower (1989): Chisago City, MN
• Cakato Water Tower: Cakato, MN
• Cottage Grove Water Tower (2001): Cottage Grove, MN
• Eden Prairie Water Tower (1981): Eden Prairie, MN
• Edina Water Tower (1989): Edina, MN
• Elk River Water Tower #1 (1985): Elk River, MN
• Elk River WaterTower #2 (1985): Elk River, MN
• Fairmont Water Tower (2003): Fairmont, MN
• Farmington Water Tower (1974): Farmington, MN
• Fergus Falls Water Tower #1 (1997): Fergus Falls, MN
• Fergus Falls WaterTower #2 (2007): Fergus Falls, MN
• Fridley Water Tower (1991): Fridley, MN
• Grand Rapids Water Tower (2001): Grand Rapids, MN
• Hastings Water Tower (1985): Hastings, MN
• Hastings Water Tower (1997): Hastings, MN
• Isanti Water Tower (2003): Isanti, MN
• Fairfield Water Tower (1984); Lakeville, MN
• Airlake Water Tower (1968): Lakeville, MN
• Jordan Water Tower: Jordan, MN
• Lino Lakes Water Tower (1991): Lino Lakes, MN
• Lino Lakes WaterTower (1997); Lino Lakes, MN

SOURCES:

• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Fluted_column_water_towers
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Y%27all_Water_Tower
• https://www.facebook.com/rochesterpublicutilities/posts/have-you-seen-the-huge-new-rpu-hydropillar-fancy-name-for-a-water-tower-going-in/123764760982325/
• https://www.cincinnati.com/picture-gallery/news/local/florence/2016/07/12/florence-yall-water-tower-a-welcoming-landmark/87012770/#:~:text=In%202012%20workers%20on%20a,Florence%20Y’All%20water%20tower.&text=Florence%20Barleycorn’s%20owners%20Ken%2C%20left,the%20restaurant’s%20opening%20in%202012.
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Water_towers_in_the_United_States_by_state
• https://spirit.txamfoundation.com/Winter-2025/Its-How-You-Know-Aggieland-Is-Within-Sight.aspx#:~:text=In%201975%2C%20a%20new%20186,and%20befitting%20of%20Texas%20A&M.
• https://www.tnemec.com/projects/lake-mary-hydropillar/
• https://www.tnemec.com/documents/1470/PP_Kirk_Road_Hydropillar_Profile.pdf
• https://www.usf.edu/news/2024/usf-makes-great-strides-in-critical-campus-enhancements.aspx
• https://www.oak-forest.org/196/The-Water-System#:~:text=The%20Oak%20Park%20Avenue%20tower,the%20west%20side%20of%20town.
• https://www.stoneharbormuseum.org/2023/01/27/no-51-the-stone-harbor-water-works-a-100-year-pictorial-survey-of-a-landmark-structure/#:~:text=The%20elevated%20single%2Dcolumn%20hydropillar,appearance%20from%20its%20two%20predecessors.
• https://www.vaco.org/county-connections/visit-chesterfield-county-and-the-bellwood-tank/
• https://www.minnesotawatertowers.com/water-towers-by-type
• https://www.instagram.com/champlin_mn/p/C5oerUtObgI/?img_index=1
• gemini.google.ai
• https://www.cityofdekalb.com/bids.aspx?bidID=68
• https://www.reddit.com/r/cincinnati/comments/jw45zi/fire_station_inside_a_water_tower/
• https://www.downers.us/public/docs/agendas/2012/06-12-12/BID00-04919_MAPLETOWER.pdf
• https://www.tiktok.com/@shelbyvillefire/video/7207414495856250158
• https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/community/newhope_goldenvalley/lead-paint-in-new-hope-s-south-water-tower-is-in-dry-area-officials-say/article_70fe2548-1a13-11ef-b350-df5ca24d7637.html
• https://urbandsm.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575
• https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMB0N0_40th_Avenue_North_Water_Tower_Plymouth_MN
• https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMWXZ6_Water_Tower_is_Monument_to_Growth_in_Arnold_MO
• https://www.radioiowa.com/2013/11/20/faa-gives-approval-for-le-mars-water-tower/
• https://www.tnemec.com/remedy-index-page/site-sore-eyes-troy-water-tank/
• https://www.wwdmag.com/water/article/10917030/maintenance-history-of-four-steel-water-tanks
• https://chaskamn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/316/Comprehensive-Water-Plan-PDF
• https://www.coonrapidsmn.gov/339/City-Water-System#:~:text=Water%20Hardness,The%20answer:%2016%2D18.
• https://www.mitchellville.org/city-statistics/#/
• https://www.facebook.com/PleasantHillia/posts/1203346909765636/
• https://pwsd1jeffco.com/about-us
• https://urbandalewater.org/current-projects/
• https://rve.com/projects/manchester-township-1-5-mg-elevated-water-tank
• https://releeinc.com/portfolio-items/manitowoc-elevated-storage-tank-reconditioning/
• https://www.charlescitypress.com/front/2019/10/29/city-looking-to-repaint-corporate-drive-water-tower-by-spring/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfDj5Q6sQTc
• https://haleyward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bid-Data-Sheeet-BUZ-077-BBWD-2023-01-RFP-Hydropillar-Lease-Wagner-Way-3.pdf
• https://bgindependentmedia.org/repainting-and-repairing-bg-water-towers-to-cost-2-8-million/
• https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article199092364.html
• https://www.shelbyville.in.gov/175/Facilities
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Water_towers_in_California#/media/File:Water_tower_in_Ripon,_California_(28326033800).jpg
• https://www.snyder-associates.com/community-water-storage-solutions-how-to-select-a-water-tank/
• https://lancasteronline.com/news/community/school-district-questions-site-of-3-million-gallon-water-tank-near-proposed-buchanan-elementary/article_22671d30-077f-11e7-a40a-4717fd885f21.html
• https://www.facebook.com/CityofChamplin/posts/-champlin-heres-a-look-inside-water-tower-number-two-as-crews-remove-the-old-pai/854330516737320/
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Big_Blue_Water_Tower_from_Kingsgate_Park,_Amherst,_New_York_-_20201101.jpg
• https://embed-3dwarehouse-classic.sketchup.com/model/13ba9cddd24a0da1f418597f61d6f25d/Salisbury-Township-Hydropillar
• https://eriewater.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018-Capital-Projects-Annual-Report.pdf
• https://www.pressreader.com/usa/yuma-sun/20200712/281496458581522
• https://www.thetankpainters.com/1971-pittsburgh-des-moines-pdm-steel-company-hydro-pillar-bulletin/
• https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2020/07/03/delaware-water-tower-gets-new-paint-job-repairs/112737068/
• https://pwsd1jeffco.com/about-us
• https://chanhassen.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=732&MeetingID=43
• https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm14NV4_Eagan_Inver_Grove_Heights_Water_Tower
• https://www.thompsonengineering.com/project/poarch-creek-indian-water-system/
• https://oronomn.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=oronomn_d2c362e3c570fa58f52baae34ef27022.pdf&view=1
• https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/community/newhope_goldenvalley/lead-paint-in-new-hope-s-south-water-tower-is-in-dry-area-officials-say/article_70fe2548-1a13-11ef-b350-df5ca24d7637.html
• Email communications from the City of Hibbing, MN dated 2/27/25
• Email communication from Little Canada, MN dated 2/28/25
• https://tankoftheyear.tnemec.com/documents/30/Elevated_Water_Storage_Profile.pdf
• https://www.sedalia.com/wp-content/uploads/Addendum-1-Water-Tower.pdf
• https://mcclurevision.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Le-Mars-IA-Water-Tower.pdf
• https://www.cbi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/hydropillar-water-2021-digital.pdf

#1 #2 #3 #4 #adaptiveResuse #cities #emergencyServices #engineering #fireStations #flutedColumns #flutedPillars #geography #history #hydopillars #landUse #mixedUses #planning #stats #towns #travel #utilities #water #waterTowers