Demolition dust settles: workers clear Mina Plaza rubble to make way for new development

Work to regenerate the area will be carried out in phases now that the buildings have been brought down

The towers of Mina Plaza are reduced to rubble in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A worker cleans up a nearby security office a day after the demolition of Mina Plaza. Victor Besa / The National

A worker cleans away broken tree branches at Al Mina Fruits and Vegetable Market a day after the Mina Zayed demolition. Victor Besa / The National

The towers of Mina Plaza are reduced to rubble in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A pile of debris remains after the demolition of Mina Plaza on Friday. Victor Besa / The National

The surrounding areas the morning after the demolition of the Mina Zayed Plaza. Victor Besa/The National Section

Workers are now removing the pile of rubble that once formed the Mina Plaza towers in Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

A pile of debris is all that remains from Mina Plaza, a complex of towers that stood incomplete for more than a decade. Victor Besa / The National

A pile of debris remains after the demolition of Mina Plaza on Friday. Victor Besa / The National

Mina Zayed reopened to the public after the demolition of Mina Plaza was complete and the area was deemed safe. Victor Besa / The National

A cleaner tidies up at Al Mina Fruits and Vegetable Market a day after the demolition of Mina Plaza. Victor Besa / The National

A pile of debris is all that remains from Mina Plaza, a complex of towers that stood incomplete for more than a decade. Victor Besa / The National

Cleaning operations are under way at Mina Zayed after the demolition of Mina Plaza on Friday. Victor Besa / The National

Road blocks prevent people from entering the Mina Plaza area following the demolition of the towers. Victor Besa / The National

A pile of debris is all that remains from Mina Plaza, a complex of towers that stood incomplete for more than a decade. Victor Besa / The National

Cleaning operations are under way at Mina Zayed after the demolition of Mina Plaza on Friday. Victor Besa / The National

A cleaner tidies up at Al Mina Fruits and Vegetable Market a day after the demolition of Mina Plaza. Victor Besa / The National

Mina Zayed reopened to the public after the demolition of Mina Plaza was complete and the area was deemed safe. Victor Besa / The National

Cleaning operations are under way at Mina Zayed after the demolition of Mina Plaza on Friday. Victor Besa / The National

A pile of debris is all that remains from Mina Plaza, a complex of towers that stood incomplete for more than a decade. Victor Besa / The National

Mina Zayed reopened to the public after the demolition of Mina Plaza was complete and the area was deemed safe. Victor Besa / The National

Traders begin to return to their shops after closing to make way for the demolition of Mina Plaza. Victor Besa / The National

Police tape keeps people away from the demolition zone at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

Traders return to their stalls at the plant market to tidy up following the demolition of Mina Plaza. Victor Besa / The National

It was all over in a matter of 10 seconds. But after the dust cleared from the record-breaking demolition of Mina Plaza, and shops reopened across the port in Abu Dhabi, workers began to clear away the rubble to make way for the new development.

On Friday, Modon Properties, the company behind the demolition and development project in Mina Zayed, said 6,000 kilograms of explosives and 18,000 individually programmed detonators were used to bring down the three towers.

Roads were sealed off well in advance of the 8am detonation and shops were closed to ensure the area was evacuated of any people for the controlled explosions.

By Friday evening, traders were allowed to reopen their shops and, the following day, workers were seen clearing the rubble.

Work to regenerate the area will be carried out in phases, starting with the fish market, which is due for completion late next year.

“The structure is up and we started sealing the building of the façade; the next market most likely to move is the plant,” said Bill O'Regan, acting chief executive of Modon Properties.

He said the new development would also include a new plant, furnishing, fruit and vegetable markets to replace the existing ones.

Other markets could also be added, such as antiques, spices, and seasonal local produce.

“So it will become a destination where people can spend their day; you will come for fruits and veggies, but stay for hours,” he said.

Mina Zayed development plans: