Vanderbilt University's Carmichael Towers East came down safely in a controlled implosion on Saturday, July 31, to make way for a new world-class residential college on campus.
Nashville and Vanderbilt University police were on hand to keep nearby residents safe and redirect traffic flow during the demolition and cleanup. The approximately 15-minute implosion process was overseen by Layton Construction LLC, which is conducting ongoing construction, and by Controlled Demolition Inc. (CDI), a national leader in large-structure controlled demolition.
Residential college experience
This implosion continues the transformation of Vanderbilt's West End Neighborhood and the expansion of the university's residential college experience with three new residential colleges along West End Avenue, between 23rd and 25th avenues.
The 14-story Carmichael Towers East's last residents moved out at the end of the spring 2021 semester, and Residential College C will be built in its place, with a scheduled opening in fall 2024. It will be the fourth residential college along West End Avenue.
The west towers were demolished in July 2019 to make way for the opening of Nicholas S. Zeppos College in August 2020. The E. Bronson Ingram College opened in 2018, and Rothschild College will open for fall 2022.
FutureVU
The construction of these new residential colleges fulfills a key part of Vanderbilt's Academic Strategic Plan by strengthening the residential college experience. It also fulfills goals of FutureVU, the university's initiative to enhance the places on campus where community members live, work and learn.
