An under-construction high-rise in Manhattan remained unstable Tuesday after buckling columns and sagging floors raised fears of a collapse, leading to the evacuation of the tower and nearby buildings. Officials are monitoring the situation using drones to avoid sending personnel inside.
The structural issues were first reported around 8 a.m. Tuesday at the 37-story building located at 235 East 42nd Street, a site undergoing conversion from its former use as a pharmaceutical company's global headquarters into luxury apartments. The building, constructed in the 1970s, is located in a busy corridor near Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building.
Fire Chief John Esposito stated that due to the building's steel-frame construction, any potential collapse would likely be localized rather than total. The city's building commissioner, Ahmed Tigani, indicated that there was no evidence of debris falling from the building, though nearby streets have been closed to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
City officials identified buckled columns on the 21st and 22nd floors, with sagging observed on floors between the 21st and 26th. First responders and city officials are collaborating with the project engineer to develop a plan for shoring up the affected areas. Once deemed secure, engineers will enter the building to begin repairs.
The conversion project, led by architectural firm Gensler, aims to add more than a dozen stories and redesign an adjoining tower. It is slated to create over 1,600 residential units, positioning it as the largest conversion of its kind in the city's history.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized that the safety of residents and workers in the area is the top priority. A nearby school with 400 students was among the evacuated buildings. No injuries have been reported. The building commissioner noted that workers will need to install emergency beams and columns to support the compromised structures. The assessment of the situation is ongoing and being evaluated minute by minute.