A major emergency operation unfolded in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday after construction workers discovered severe structural damage inside a high-rise undergoing renovation, raising fears that part of the building could collapse.

The incident occurred shortly before 8 a.m. at 235 East 42nd Street, where workers reported large cracks, buckling steel columns, and bricks falling from the building's façade. Recognizing the danger, construction crews evacuated the site before emergency responders arrived.

 

Officials with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) later confirmed that two structural steel columns between the 21st and 22nd floors had significantly buckled, causing several upper floors to shift and sag. As a precaution, authorities evacuated the building along with at least nine surrounding properties, including an international school.

FDNY Chief John Esposito described the situation as "very serious," explaining that steel box beams had begun bending under the building's weight and that the structure continued to move even after emergency crews arrived.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents and commuters to stay away from the area as engineers conducted continuous assessments of the building's stability.

 

BREAKING: Buckling beams at former Pfizer HQ spark major evacuations in Midtown Manhattan as building is at risk of COLLAPSE

Construction workers noticed cracks inside and spotted structural support beams buckling on the 21st and 22nd floors around 8 a.m. at 235 East 42nd… pic.twitter.com/MYnJpP9m4T

— FreedomNews.Tv FNTV (@FreedomNTV) July 7, 2026

No injuries have been reported, according to city officials. Engineers from the New York City Department of Buildings are working alongside firefighters, using drones and specialized monitoring equipment to evaluate the damaged structure while maintaining a large safety perimeter around the site.

The affected property once served as Pfizer's corporate headquarters and is currently part of one of New York City's largest office-to-residential conversion projects. Developers are transforming the former office complex into approximately 1,600 apartments as part of the city's effort to address its ongoing housing shortage.

Investigators have not yet determined the exact cause of the structural failure. However, union representatives involved in the project suggested that insufficient structural steel may have been installed to support the additional floors being added during the renovation.

 

BREAKING: Midtown Manhattan high rise evacuated after construction workers discover buckled columns ... sagging floors and falling bricks. 42nd & 43rd streets near 2nd avenue closed as DOB assesses the danger. pic.twitter.com/294MXBdkeY

— Steven Bognar (@Bogs4NY) July 7, 2026

The project had also accumulated several violations from the New York City Department of Buildings over the past year, including fines and complaints related to excavation work and compliance with approved construction plans. Those issues are now expected to be part of the official investigation.

Authorities continue to monitor the building around the clock while nearby streets remain closed. 

 

Engineers are assessing whether additional movement could increase the risk of a localized collapse, although experts believe a total structural failure remains unlikely due to the building's steel framework.

 

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