New York City officials said Wednesday that a Midtown Manhattan high-rise under construction has stabilized after two internal support columns buckled, forcing nearby evacuations and a partial shutdown of East 42nd Street.
The 37-story structure, which is being transformed from office space into residential units, is located on East 42nd Street - one block west of the United Nations and three blocks east of Grand Central Terminal. The project, which previously served as Pfizer's corporate headquarters for decades, is being converted into a 1,600-unit apartment building with a projected completion date in 2027, according to information on the architecture firm Gensler's website.
Officials said emergency calls began just before 8 a.m. ET on Tuesday when the city's fire department received reports of bricks falling from the structure. Responders found that two columns had buckled on the 21st and 22nd floors, and that several floors were sagging, prompting immediate safety actions.
Stabilization and temporary supports
Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters that temporary shoring and beams have been put in place on floors 18 through 23 and that workers are installing additional supports on other floors. "There has been no additional movement of the structure since yesterday morning," the mayor said, describing the building as appearing to be stabilized for the moment.
First responders evacuated a number of neighboring properties, including a school, and closed the busy thoroughfare of 42nd Street while operations were underway. Authorities have since reopened some adjacent buildings, but four structures remain fully evacuated and a fifth remains partially closed because its ground-floor restaurant is still shuttered, Mamdani said.
Oversight and next steps
The city's building department will conduct a "rigorous assessment" to confirm the high-rise meets safety standards and code requirements before any further construction activity can resume, officials said. Mamdani reiterated his support for converting office buildings into residences as a tool to address the city's housing affordability challenges.
City teams continue to monitor the site as temporary measures are reinforced and inspectors prepare the more detailed evaluations required to determine whether the project can move forward.
Location and project context
The building's conversion, its Midtown location and the surrounding closures have created an ongoing safety and access situation for nearby residents, workers and businesses while authorities complete their assessments.