A high-rise building on East 42nd Street in Manhattan was deemed unstable on Tuesday morning after authorities discovered that two structural support columns had buckled. The building, a former Pfizer pharmaceutical site currently being converted into residential apartments, also exhibited multiple cracks and sagging floors.

Officials received reports of a structural issue at the active construction site before 8 a.m. Fire, buildings, and emergency management departments responded and found the problems on the 21st floor. The fire department posted a photo of a dramatically bent steel beam on its X account.

John Esposito, fire department chief, described the situation as "very serious" due to steel box beams bending and deflecting under weight. He confirmed that the building and surrounding structures were evacuated as a precaution. Esposito added that if the building were to collapse, it would likely be a localized collapse rather than a total one.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the situation "extremely serious" and confirmed the building remains unstable. Authorities reported that efforts to stabilize the site would continue into the night.

MetroLoft, the developer, stated that safety is their top priority and expressed relief that no injuries occurred and no debris fell from the building, as clarified by the Department of Buildings (DOB).

Sources