The walls of Downtown Plaza came crashing down on Wednesday morning as an excavator tore through the building on 515 L Street.

The work was the first significant street-level exterior demolition that has been done since the process started on Aug. 1. Below is a video clip we got of the first walls being torn down.

The whole time I couldn't help but think how fun it would be to drive that thing, but of course they wouldn't let me. Ugh. Here is a look at the building around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Here is a look at this same building from Anthony Esqueda earlier in the week.

And here are some bird's-eye views of the Downtown Plaza roof and more from Andy Sims.

More shots of the progress on the roof of Downtown Plaza from Sactown Royalty user regirl.

A viewing window at 7th/K Street is now operational and open to the public. Also, new bus stops at 9th/L Street, Capitol Avenue between 7th and 8th Street and 5th Street between Capitol Avenue and L Street start operating on Saturday, Aug. 16. For information on changes for motorists, bus riders and pedestrians, click here.

There also will be an open house on Aug. 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 660 J Street, Suite 360. Project representatives will provide a project overview and timeline. The public is invited to ask questions about the demolition/construction. Information can be found here.

You can send us pictures to be featured on the site at asksactownroyalty@gmail.com. If you are taking pictures, please make sure to be courteous of the workers and do not access restricted parts of the site or interrupt work that is underway.