The Providence Journal / Frieda Squires
Michelle Pinto, one of the owners of the Andrea Hotel in Westerly stands near the damaged foundation of the hotel and restaurant that was originally built in 1912.
WESTERLY, R.I. -- Demolition of the Andrea Hotel, a beachfront landmark in Misquamicut, began in earnest on Tuesday and is continuing today.
The Andrea, along with many waterfront properties in the popular summer destination, was severely damaged by superstorm Sandy's storm surge and powerful waves.
The Colucci family, which has owned the hotel since 1946, hopes to rebuild and reopen the hotel in 2014.
In the meantime, the owners plan to preserve a small part of the building - the kitchen - to continue running an outdoor restaurant. Outdoor decks will be rebuilt and a large tent erected for dining, drinking and live music.
Still, "It's hard to watch," co-owner Michelle Pinto said Wednesday morning after more than half of the building, the front, had come down.