By Steffen Klenk
Photos by Donald B Kravitz
The Atlantic City skyline changed last Wednesday morning, as the former Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino was imploded. The former 39-story building consisted of over 610 hotel rooms, along with several restaurants, gaming floors, and a showroom. Just after 9:08am, it was reduced into a pile of rubble. 3,000 sticks of dynamite were used to bring the building down.
Dozens of onlookers watched the detonation from the beach along Florida Avenue. At Bader Field, hundreds gathered socially distanced to watch the spectacle from their cars. Even a few brave souls viewed the implosion from their boats or surfed amongst the waves to get one final look at the building. Wednesday’s perfect weather provided unparalleled views of the changing skyline.
Inside One Atlantic Events, located along The Pier at Caesars, a group of ten lucky winners got the opportunity to watch the implosion up-close, as part of an auction that raised money for the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City. In addition, the winners received an overnight stay at one of several neighboring casino properties, including Caesar’s, Hard Rock and Ocean Casino. According to Elizabeth McGlinn, Director of Operations at One Atlantic, as part an auction that raised over $17,000.
One of those lucky winners included Lou Woloszyn, also known as “Implosion Man.” Brandished in a bright orange jumpsuit, the Philadelphia native has witnessed dozens of demolitions, from the former Sands Casino to Veterans Stadium, even the Sears Catalog Building along Roosevelt Boulevard. “This was a bad Halloween costume” says Woloszyn.
Trump Plaza formally opened on May 14, 1984 and was a premier destination for high-rollers and tourists throughout the region. During its lifespan, the casino attracted many high-profile celebrities, and was one of the filming locations for the hit 2001 re-make of Ocean’s Eleven. The Plaza hosted many high-profile concerts and sporting events, including a notable 1988 boxing match in which Mike Tyson knocked out opponent Michael Spinks in the first round. Trump Plaza was also the sponsor of WrestleMania IV and V, held in at neighboring Boardwalk Hall.
After just over thirty years of business, Trump Plaza officially closed its doors on September 16, 2014 at 5:59am. Conditions of the vacant property had deteriorated in the years after its closure. In March 2018, two large pieces of the exterior façade blew off during a winter nor’easter. The 39-story building was officially deemed an “imminent hazard” last year by Atlantic City officials.
The demolition of Trump Plaza marks the second time a casino has been detonated in Atlantic City history. In October 2007, the Sands was imploded in front of a crowd of thousands, prior to which a dazzling fireworks show lit up the surrounding casinos and boardwalk.
An attached building along the property’s south end is slated for demolition in the coming months. The parking garage, east tower and Rainforest Café will remain in place. Cleanup is estimated for completion in time for the summer tourist season. Billionaire Carl Icahn remains as the owner of the sprawling multi-acre oceanfront property. Icahn has not announced any redevelopment plans.
