AUSTIN, Texas — A decades-old University of Texas building is coming down.

The 10-story Ashbel Smith Hall building used to house the University of Texas System headquarters. It will be demolished via implosion at 8 a.m. Sunday, March 25, contractors announced Thursday.

According to the press release, this is the first building implosion of its kind since the implosion of the Intel building in 2007.

Ashbel Smith Hall was constructed in 1974. The more than 40-year-old building is being demolished to make way for a new office building called Block 71.

The new skyscraper will be the largest office tower in Austin with 660,000 square feet of office space plus over 7,000 square feet of space for retail and restaurants. 

Due to the significance of the event, safety measures are being put into place.

The public is advised not to venture downtown to witness the implosion of the building, but specifically cautioned to avoid 5th to 8th streets between Guadalupe Street and Congress Avenue. Multiple police blockades will be in place to ensure safety.

Spectrum News crews will be at the scene (at an appropriate distance) for you to watch. Stay tuned.