Implosion to Fell Rosslyn Hotel Tower This Weekend

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(Updated on 12/9/20) The former Rosslyn Holiday Inn is set to be demolished via a planned implosion this weekend.

The 18-story hotel tower at 1900 N. Fort Myer Drive is set to come down at 8 a.m. Sunday “as safety, crowd control and weather conditions permit,” an advisory obtained by ARLnow says.

“As part of the demolition project, removal of the Sky Bridge Stairs is scheduled for Saturday, December 12,” the advisory continues. “Access road and adjacent sidewalks will be closed in front of 1911 N. Fort Myer Drive. Flaggers will be set up to assist with traffic.”

Tenants of nearby buildings are being notified that the implosion will necessitate road closures and temporarily turning off building heating systems due to the anticipated dust cloud.

“The implosion… should last about 20 seconds. Avoid any windows facing the Holiday Inn or being in front of windows at time of implosion,” the advisory says. “Dust may drift outside and downward of the Exclusion Zone, depending on weather conditions. Please stay indoors during the demolition and afterwards until the dust has settled.”

Plans for road closures and temporary no parking zones are in place.

“Arlington County is aware of the scheduled demolition on December 13,” Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “ACPD, [Virginia State Police] and VDOT will be providing traffic control.”

VDOT confirmed a WTOP report Monday afternoon that I-66 would be temporarily closed during the implosion.

The hotel’s former parking garage has already been demolished.

The County Board approved a redevelopment project last year that will replace the aging hotel — built in 1972 — with a new mixed-use project, featuring a 25-story residential tower and a 38-story hotel tower.