A 38-story building in Midtown Manhattan experienced a partial collapse on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, prompting evacuations and street closures as authorities investigate significant structural issues. Workers on-site at 235 E. 42nd St. discovered crucial support beams bending, described by one construction worker as "bending like cigarettes," leading to floors collapsing under pressure.
Cliff Johnsen, a member of Steamfitters Local 638, told reporters that his crew was installing the building's fire-protection system when they observed the beams buckling on the 21st and 22nd floors. Johnsen alleged that the developers failed to install adequate steel supports during the building's renovation, which aimed to add 16 stories and convert the structure from commercial to residential use. "At that point, you need to add more steel -- and they obviously didn’t add the right amount of steel," Johnsen stated, adding that "the north side of that building is crumbling."
First responders evacuated the building around 8 a.m. on Tuesday after workers reported the structural distress. The 21st and 26th floors were reported to be sagging due to the strain. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.
Police and fire officials cordoned off East 42nd Street between Second and Third Avenues to secure the scene and facilitate the investigation. As a precautionary measure, several adjacent buildings, including a hotel and a school housing over 400 children, were also evacuated.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the structural problems during a press conference, stating, "What they have found thus far is that there are structural issues with the building." He advised residents in the immediate vicinity to follow the instructions of emergency personnel on the ground and deemed the evacuations appropriate.
