For over 20 years, the Plaza Tower has loomed over New Orleans—a silent, crumbling relic of the past. But after years of legal battles, safety concerns, and uncertainty, the city has finally taken action. A judge has cleared the way for its demolition, marking a major step toward ending its long-standing blight.
The Decision to Tear It Down
On January 16, 2025, a judge ruled against a temporary restraining order that sought to halt the demolition. This legal victory allows New Orleans officials to move forward with plans to bring down the 45-story structure.
The city had already taken steps in December 2024, when the New Orleans City Council approved a $2.7 million contract with Renascent Inc. This funding is being used to secure the building and prevent further hazards—like the falling debris that has plagued the area for years. But the real cost of demolition? A whopping $28 million.
Why Now?
If you’ve followed the Plaza Tower’s saga, you know that talk of demolition isn’t new. The building has sat empty since 2002, abandoned due to toxic mold and asbestos contamination. Over time, it has become a hotspot for urban explorers, an eyesore for the city, and a legitimate safety risk.
But in recent years, calls to finally deal with the decaying skyscraper have grown louder. Pieces of the building have been falling onto the streets below, posing a threat to pedestrians. Even city officials started expressing frustration, calling Plaza Tower one of the city’s worst examples of blight.
Now, with legal and financial hurdles cleared, it looks like the city is ready to act.
What’s Next?
Before the full-scale demolition begins, crews will secure the structure, remove hazardous materials, and prepare the site. This first phase is crucial to ensuring that the teardown is done safely.
While there’s no official timeline for when the Plaza Tower will be completely gone, the city has made it clear: the building’s days are numbered.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond just removing an eyesore, the demolition of Plaza Tower raises a bigger question: What comes next for the site? The 45-story building occupies a prime location in downtown New Orleans, making it a valuable piece of real estate.
For now, the focus is on safety and cleanup, but once the dust settles—literally—the city will have a massive space to redevelop. Will it be turned into a modern high-rise? A public space? Something completely different? That remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: after standing empty for over two decades, Plaza Tower’s time is finally up.
Plaza Tower in 2023
Location History
Last Updated on February 12, 2025 by F. E. Mufute