Authorities warn Manhattan tower could collapse after beams buckle
4 hours ago
- #Building Collapse Risk
- #Construction Safety
- #NYC Development
- Support beams at a 42nd Street office tower in Midtown buckled, causing an evacuation and street closures due to instability concerns.
- The incident halted NYC's largest office-to-residential conversion project, part of MetroLoft's plan to add apartments and floors to the former Pfizer headquarters.
- Fire officials identified buckled columns on the 21st and 22nd floors, with no injuries reported, but neighboring buildings were evacuated as a precaution.
- The developer, MetroLoft, is cooperating with investigations, while architecture firm Gensler declined to comment; earlier complaints about unsafe demolition were unverified.
- About 130 fire and EMS personnel responded, and workers expressed relief over the lack of injuries as the situation remains under assessment.