MIDTOWN MANHATTAN BUILDINGS EVACUATED AFTER STRUCTURAL COLUMNS BUCKLE AT HIGH-RISE CONSTRUCTION SITE
MANHATTAN, New York — Several buildings in Midtown Manhattan were evacuated Tuesday after structural support columns buckled inside a high-rise construction project, prompting emergency stabilization efforts and concerns about the building’s stability.
According to New York City officials, construction workers noticed cracks inside the building at 235 E. 42nd St. around 8 a.m. and evacuated after discovering structural columns buckling on the 21st and 22nd floors. Officials said the damage caused floors 21 through 26 of the 37-story building to come under significant stress.
No injuries were reported, and all construction workers safely evacuated the site.
The building, a former Pfizer headquarters undergoing conversion into luxury apartments, remains the focus of an extensive emergency response. Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said temporary shoring, hydraulic jacks, and new steel supports are being installed to stabilize the structure.
Officials said engineers have been closely monitoring the building throughout the day. While concerns initially centered on the possibility of a partial collapse, city officials later reported that monitoring equipment showed no additional movement after stabilization efforts began.
Several nearby buildings remain under evacuation orders, including residential and commercial properties, as well as a hotel. Portions of surrounding streets also remain closed while emergency crews continue their work.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the situation as “extremely serious” and said the city’s priority is ensuring the safety of the building, surrounding neighborhood, and first responders. Authorities said an investigation into what caused the structural failure will continue once the building has been fully stabilized.
The project is one of New York City’s largest office-to-residential conversion developments. City records show the property had received numerous construction-related complaints over the past year, although many did not result in formal violations after inspections.
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