Evacuations Ensue After Structural Issues at Former Pfizer Headquarters

A high-rise office building in Midtown Manhattan, once the headquarters of Pfizer, is undergoing a transformation into apartments. On Tuesday, it exhibited signs of structural instability, leading to evacuations and emergency responses near Grand Central Terminal.

The New York City Fire Department received reports of falling bricks from the building at 235 East 42nd Street just before 8 a.m. This site, part of a large-scale project to convert office spaces into 1,600 residential units, is recognized as the largest such conversion in the United States, according to its developers.

Building safety records reveal that a steel beam on the 21st floor of the 37-story structure was compromised. Fire officials noted that two internal support columns were buckling, causing several upper floors to sag.

Were There Any Injuries?

No injuries were reported. Construction workers were evacuated from the site, and additional evacuations took place at neighboring properties on East 43rd Street as a precaution. Cliff Johnsen, a representative for Steamfitters Local 638, noted the severity of the situation by comparing the bending beams to “cigarettes.”

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a “frozen zone” extending from 40th to 45th Streets and between First and Third Avenues for safety.

Details on the Building’s Conversion

This project involves the conversion of two buildings at 235 and 219 East 42nd Street into a residential complex. Developers Metro Loft and David Werner Real Estate launched the transformation in 2024, aiming for completion by next year. Plans include adding 11 floors to the 22-story building at 219 East 42nd Street. Out of 1,602 planned apartments, 400 are designated as affordable housing. The design incorporates over 100,000 square feet for amenities, including shops, a rooftop pool, and a fitness center.

Metro Loft acknowledged the building issues, indicating collaboration with the Buildings Department to assess the full extent of the problem.

Contributors to this report included Claire Fahy, Mihir Zaveri, Caitlyn Freeman, Chelsia Rose Marcius, Matthew Haag, Hurubie Meko, and Davaughnia Wilson.