Scrapbook memories 
The rise and fall of Sander Hall
Implosion videos from four different angles (Flash)
As new buildings go up, old ones sometime come down. And although demolition is rarely a spectator sport, the implosion of Sander Hall certainly created a stir -- of dust and rubble, among other things. In 1991, approximately 520 pounds of dynamite brought down the residence hall built in the '70s.
The UC Master Plan now calls for a variety of smaller dorms located throughout campus, including village-like complex north of the Sander Hall site where tennis courts used to sit. The Jefferson Residence Halls opened there in the fall of '02.
Sander Hall was built at a time in which high-rise living impressed students. But by 1982, student demographics had changed. UC faced a surplus of campus housing, and high-rise intrigue was waning.
At first, the university considered renovating Sander Hall into an administration building, but the elevators created a problem. How to handle 27 floors of employees all traveling up and down at precisely 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.? The previous student population had used the elevators at more random hours.
Although new elevators could be added, that expense pushed remodeling costs into the $25 million category. Constructing a new building, in comparison, carried a $27 million price tag.
The final decision involved the confession that Sander was actually an eyesore that had little in common with the rest of the campus. So down it came.
To protect the surrounding environment, it was imploded -- an event that attracted a large crowd early Saturday morning on June 23, 1991.
photo Lisa Ventre
LINKS:
Campus construction photo gallery