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Urgent safety concerns have led to the evacuation of a Manhattan skyscraper and nearby buildings after alarming structural damage was discovered. The 1970s-era office tower, once home to pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and now being transformed into luxury apartments, showed signs of serious deterioration when several steel columns buckled earlier this week.
Located near Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building, the high-rise under construction displayed sagging floors between the 21st and 26th levels, raising fears of a possible collapse. Firefighters responded swiftly to reports of falling bricks around 8 a.m. Tuesday, prompting emergency measures including the deployment of drones by city officials to assess the building’s condition without endangering personnel.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the situation as “extremely serious,” confirming that a nearby school with 400 students was evacuated as a precaution due to the building’s instability. Fire Chief John Esposito reassured the public that the steel-frame design is intended to prevent a total collapse, suggesting any failure would likely be localized.
City building commissioner Ahmed Tigani reported no injuries have been sustained so far. Inspectors identified buckled columns on the 21st and 22nd floors, with structural sagging noted up to the 26th floor. Emergency responders are working closely with the project’s engineers to develop stabilization plans, including the installation of temporary beams and supports to secure compromised areas.
The ambitious redevelopment, managed by architectural firm Gensler, plans to add more than a dozen stories and create over 1,600 residential units, marking one of New York City’s largest office-to-residential conversions.
Meanwhile, the incident has disrupted local transit. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced road closures on East 42nd Street, affecting multiple bus routes along Second Avenue.
M42 buses are rerouted eastbound via 50th Street and westbound via 34th Street, with delays impacting northbound M101, M102, M103, and M15 services. Subway operations on the nearby 7 train remain normal.
Mayor Mamdani emphasized that ensuring the safety of residents and workers in the vicinity is the highest priority as officials continue minute-by-minute evaluations and preparations for repairs.