VIDEO: Implosion of 16-story Philadelphia high-rise

GERMANTOWN -- It has stood for nearly 60 years, but it was the end of an era for a 16-story high-rise in the Germantown section of Philadelphia after an implosion on Saturday morning.

The implosion happened shortly after 7:15 a.m. Blasts could be heard as charges went off. Moments later, the building came crashing down in a cloud of dust.

Residents in the area around the building said they were glad to see the eye-sore go.

The high-rise on the 300 block of West Queen Lane was gutted before it was demolished.

The building had been vacant for two years.

Residents who live within a one block area of the structure were evacuated to a comfort zone.

The demolition is making way for the construction of 55 homes in character with the neighborhood.

"There is mixed emotions. This is the first time something like this has happened in this community, as far as imploding a high-rise building, so they're concern about that and excitement about what's to come," said Rev. Nathan Hasty, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.

"Basically it's about time this place came down. It's been deteriorating for a long time, it was let go even when people were living in there," said Dennis Barnebey.

Brian Dandridge grew up in this neighborhood. His entire family had planned to watch the implosion, which for the, is a historic moment filled with dozens of memories.

"And I thank God for the neighborhood and I thank God for the playground. Probably tomorrow this time it will just be dust and rubble but the memories live deeply within me," said Dandridge.

Construction is set to begin on the new homes in the coming weeks.