In an alarming incident that could have ended in disaster, a Midtown Manhattan office building currently undergoing renovations to be transformed into luxury apartments was evacuated due to structural concerns. Authorities feared that the towering structure was on the brink of collapse, sparking an urgent need for safety measures.
Early Tuesday morning, construction workers hastily exited the 33-story skyscraper on East 42nd Street after noticing a critical problem. Two of the building’s main support beams showed signs of buckling, prompting immediate concern among the crew.
The strain on the building was particularly evident from the 21st to the 26th floors, located near Grand Central Terminal. Officials noted these levels were beginning to cave under pressure, increasing the urgency of the situation.
Eye-opening footage captured by some of the workers highlighted the severity of the issue. The video showed the massive silver beams bending perilously on the 21st and 22nd floors, moments before the floors started to give way.
Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries, as confirmed by the NYPD. As a precautionary measure, an evacuation order was swiftly executed. Furthermore, nearby buildings—totaling eight in number—were also evacuated to ensure the public’s safety while emergency units attended to the scene.
The FDNY said it is undertaking ‘a major technical rescue response.’
The skyscraper, which once housed pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, was being converted into a 1,500-unit luxury rental complex.
A site worker has accused the construction project’s general contractor of irresponsibility following the emergency evacuation.
The Manhattan office building, which once housed pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, was evacuated Tuesday morning after construction workers noticed cracks and buckling columns
Several FDNY crews outside the 33-story skyscraper on East 42nd Street on Tuesday
Terrifying footage filmed by workers inside the building showed the massive silver beams buckling and bending just moments before the floor started to crumble
‘The general contractor chose to go non‑union for this project. All we want is responsible construction in the City of New York,’ Cliff Johnson, of Steamfitters Local 638, told PIX 11.
‘They did not shore up the job correctly. The beams started crumbling, the floors started crumbling, and they might have to evacuate the other side.’
Johnson said the project was a ‘total renovation’ and that crews were gutting the entire building.
Renovation plans included adding 16 stories to the hi-rise, he added.
The construction site was issued seven violations from the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) last year, public records showed.
The violations, which resulted in over $32,000 in penalties, were construction safety-related and have since been resolved.
One of the penalties was a $10,000 violation for failing to notify the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) of a construction incident that resulted in injury.
DOB inspectors responded to the site on Tuesday following the evacuations and are actively investigating the situation.
The department does have an active permit for the ongoing construction work, officials said.
First responders were called to the building near Grand Central Station just after 8am Tuesday
Eight nearby buildings have also been evacuated as emergency crews attend the scene
East 42nd Street, between Second and Third avenues, is closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic as officials continue their investigation. Commuters are advised to avoid the area
Construction crews self-evacuated from the 33-story skyscraper after they discovered that two support beams had begun to buckle on the 21st and 22nd floors
East 42nd Street, between Second and Third avenues, is closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Commuters are advised to avoid the area.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged anyone in the area to follow the instructions of the first responders on site.
‘Now luckily there have been no injuries to report at this time, all workers are accounted for, the building has been evacuated, a number of tall buildings in the area are also being evacuated at this time, a school with about 400 children has also been evacuated,’ he said.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.