Watch: Defunct Bethlehem Steel headquarters imploded

Much of the Pennsylvania story was destroyed Sunday.

A demolition crew imploded Martin Tower, the former world headquarters in Bethlehem Steel, collapses the massive structure in seconds.

21-storey building was composed of 16,000 tons of materials. Crowds had gathered to experience the play.

Although the 47-year-old building had been vacant for a dozen years after the country's second largest steelmaker left the business, Bethlehem Steel once constituted the height of America's power and profitability in the industry.

The implosion created a dust plume that was expected to lie for several minutes.

The building's current owners concluded that it was more economical to turn it down and start from scratch.

The old Bethlehem Steel building was imploded on Sunday.

The plans require a $ 200 million development of the room with medical offices, shops, a restaurant, a convenience store, a hotel and 528 apartments, according to The Associated Press.

Bethlehem Steel was a ship and weapon supplier to the US military during World War II, and its steel is found in the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge and many other landmarks.

The company moved into its new headquarters in 1972, just before the US steel industry plunged into a severe recession. Bethlehem Steel, which employs more than 120,000 people when Martin Tower opened, declared bankruptcy in 2001 and was closed just over two years later.

In 2018, America produced the fifth largest amount of steel in the world, behind China, India, Japan and the EU.

Associated Press contributed to this report.