Video: Roslyn Skyline changes following hotel explosion

A former Holiday Inn building in Roslin, Virginia, exploded Sunday morning without incident, leading to a new multi-use development.

The 8 a.m. strategic explosion occurred in 1900 blocks of Fort Myer Drive near Lee Highway.

The 18-storey hotel has been operating on the Virginia side of Key Bridge since 1972, but was closed earlier this year for a planned renovation.

This is a growing story. Stay tuned with WTOP for updates.

VDOT officials encouraged people to watch the event online without seeing it in person, citing security concerns and low vision from the ground.

Roslin Explosion Information From r / New

The demolition caused a few road closures in the surrounding area this weekend. In Virginia, U.S. Parts of Route 29 closed at 6:30 a.m., as did the following nearby streets:

• Eastbound Lee Highway, from North Quinn to North Lin Streets (reopening estimated at 6 p.m.).
• Ford Myr Drive, westbound Lee Highway to Wilson Boulevard (reopening estimated at 6 p.m.).
• 19th Street North, from North Lynn Street to Fort Myer Drive (reopening 6 p.m.).
• North Nash Street from Fort Myer Drive to Key Boulevard (reopening 6 p.m.).
• North Nash Street from Key Boulevard to Lee Highway to the west (reopening at 6 p.m.).
• North Moore Street, 19th Street North to Lee Highway (reopening estimated at 6 p.m.).
• Westbound Lee Highway, from North Lynn to North Oak Road (reopening estimated at 10 a.m.).
• Ford Myr Drive, GW Parkway to West Lee Highway (reopening 12 noon).
• Key Boulevard (reopening 12 noon) from North Nash to North Oak Roads.
• North Nash Street from Key to Wilson Boulevards (reopens at 12 noon).
• Colonial Terrace – Residents only (reopens at 10am).

Traffic on the main bridge was diverted northward until 9 a.m. on the GW Parkway

Interstate 66 in Roslyn reopened to traffic just after 9 p.m.

Exit 73 at Roslin closed.

In DC, Roosevelt Bridge reopened to outbound traffic after 9 p.m.

Northern traffic on Virginia Route 110 reopened just after 9:30 p.m.

Authorities encouraged drivers leaving the district this weekend to connect the newly rehabilitated Memorial Bridge to their alternate routes.

Below is a map of the area.

The blast was approved when the Arlington County Board visited Ditmar last year Their redesign plan. The building, which is decades old, will be replaced by a multi-purpose development with two towers, a 25-storey residential tower and a 38-storey hotel tower.

WTOP’s Melissa Howell, Dave Tildin, Jack Pointer and Luke Garrett contributed to the report.

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