Жаңа Орлеандағы Плаза Мұнарасының тарихы мен мәселелері

Skyscraper in New Orleans, Louisiana
the skyscraper in New Orleans

Plaza Tower (for a time dubbed Crescent City Towers and Crescent City Residences in a failed proposed redevelopment scheme) is a 45 story, 531 feet (162 m) skyscraper in New Orleans, Louisiana, designed in the modern style by Leonard R Spangenberg, Jr. & Associates. Located in the Central Business District (CBD), it is the third tallest building in both the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. The building has been unused since 2002 because of environmental problems such as toxic mold and asbestos which have since been remediated.

Construction of the Plaza Tower began in 1964 as a project of developer Sam J. Recile, but halted in October 1966. The property was bought out and construction resumed in 1968, and completed in 1969. Such plans were not met with success. In July 2011, the still vacant building was announced to be up for auction with bids due by 20 September. Bryan Burns purchased the building for $650,000 at a private auction in December 2011, although the listed price was $15.5 million in 2010. In September 2014 the building was again sold, this time for an undisclosed amount to Alexandra Land and Development LLC.

On May 20, 2021, a piece of the Plaza Tower fell from top of the building, injuring one person. This debris caused the closure of many major roads in New Orleans such as parts of Howard Avenue and Loyola Avenue. New Orleans officials and current property owner Joe Jaeger stated that the property would receive new fencing and a net that would catch any more debris, were it to fall off of the building. More roads were subsequently added to the closure list. These closures will be in place until a new fence is put up around the building and when the area is deemed safe for pedestrians. The area around the Plaza Tower reopened on July 16 after the netting was placed. In the early morning hours of January 10, 2022, a fire was reported in the Plaza Tower. Smoke was seen from the roof, having flowed up through the elevator shafts. New Orleans Fire Department responded and put the flames out that same day. On 10 January 2023, the long derelict building was again in local news as pieces falling dangerously to the ground again prompted closure of surrounding streets. On 24 April 2023, a man fell to his death from the Plaza Tower. This came just hours after firefighters put out another fire in the building The building continues to decay as many of the panels have been ripped out of the parking garage structure of the tower. New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell has explored the possibility of demolishing the building if the structure poses any more safety hazards.