VIDEO: UA Implodes 13-Story Tutwiler Women’s Dorm on Tuscaloosa Campus

The famous Tutwiler Hall dormitory on the University of Alabama's campus was imploded Monday morning to make room for the new and improved dorm of the same name, which is set to open this fall.

According to a release from the university, the building that came down Monday was the second iteration of Julia Tutwiler Hall and was built in 1968. The building, known to many by its nickname "Tut," has housed more than 50,000 women since opening its doors.

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Tim Leopard, senior associate vice-president for campus development, said the demolition, which took place at 7 a.m., was successful and went as planned. He said the morning of the Fourth of July was the most ideal day for the implosion to occur.

"Today's a very quiet day on campus. Typically everybody's off to the beach so it's just a really good time to shut roads down and not have people here where they could be nervous about anything," Leopard said.

Steven Hood, interim vice-president of student life, said the implosion makes way for the new dorm that will feature rooms with private bathrooms, laundry facilities on each floor and social space.

"I think it's just symbolic of the old going and the new coming into fruition here," Hood said.

The implosion was handled by D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company of Birmingham and Dykon Explosive Demolition Corporation of Bixby, Oklahoma. More than 500 pounds of dynamite was placed on several floors throughout the building.

The process of cleaning up the implosion site will begin immediately, and some concrete and metals from the building will be recycled to be used in future projects at the university.