Ashbel Smith Hall, a downtown building constructed in 1974 as an administrative office for The University of Texas, will be demolished by implosion on Sunday.

The implosion of the building at 601 Colorado St. is set for approximately 8 a.m., although the time and date could change due to safety preparations or weather conditions.

The public is advised not visit the area to witness the implosion, and specifically to avoid Fifth to Eighth streets between Guadalupe Street and Congress Avenue during the time of the demolition. Multiple police blockades will be in place to ensure the public's safety.

During the implosion, the building will collapse within 10 to 12 seconds after the charges have been detonated. Anyone close to the area is likely to hear a loud noise.

UT recently moved its administrative offices to a new building at 210 W. Seventh St. and no longer owns the site where Ashbel Smith Hall will be demolished. That property, known as Block 71, will become a 36-story, 660,000-square-foot office building that will house offices, restaurants and retail space.

This is the largest implosion in the city's history, and the first in Austin since the Intel building shell was demolished in 2007.

Lindamood Demolition is the main contractor on the project, and Controlled Demolition is the subcontractor. DPR Construction will build the new office tower going up in Ashbel Smith Hall's place, and that project will be developed by Trammell Crow Co.