Workers began emergency repairs on a Manhattan high-rise after structural issues, including buckled columns and sagging floors, were discovered early Tuesday morning. The 1970s-era building, located in a busy Midtown corridor near Grand Central station, is undergoing conversion into luxury apartments.
Following the discovery, construction workers and occupants of nearby buildings—including a school, diplomatic offices, and several hotels—were evacuated after firefighters responded around 8 a.m. City officials conducted floor-by-floor inspections and found no further movement in the damaged columns, allowing contractors to proceed with emergency stabilization work.
By early afternoon, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the situation as "an extremely serious situation" and confirmed the building remained unstable. Emergency repairs continued into the evening, with workers shoring up the damage inside the glass-and-steel structure.
Fire and building officials inspected surrounding buildings to assess whether street closures or evacuation orders could be lifted. By late Tuesday, some residents were informed it was safe to return to their homes, according to Mayor Mamdani's office.
The temporary stabilization measures are expected to continue for several days, affecting a key area of Manhattan that serves commuters, residents, and tourists.
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