One person with an intense personal connection to the Plaza Hotel in College Station is the man behind the building, Joe Ferreri.

Ferreri built the high rise in 1980 and Thursday he got to take part in its demolition.

As crews prepared for the Plaza implosion, Joe came to pay his very last respects.

"This is a bitter sweet time for me and my family," said Joe.

With thousands in attendance, Joe gave his blessing to the building.

"I would like to wish all the best to the new owners and I will be happy to see the complete project and stunning look of this property. Thank you and God Bless," Joe said to the crowd.

After his speech, Joe took one last picture with the Plaza and his family. His wife wished him well as he took that stage to bring the building down.

And with that, the Plaza was history.

Joe was his usual jovial self.

"Now what are we going to do," asked Joe with the building gone.

With his family by his side Joe reflected on what he'd want now that his building that stood 32 years is gone.

"To go over there and look at that pile. I want to see if I can get a sample of it, take it home, and put it in a frame. That's about it," said Joe.

The Bryan/College Station landscape has changed forever but that didn't stop Joe from taking one last look.

"Let me see, it's not there is it," joked Joe taking one last look at the former site of his hotel.

Joe Ferreri built the original Ramada Inn in 1960. It was later renamed the Plaza Hotel.