Midtown Manhattan Building Evacuated After Buckling Beams Found at Construction Site

Construction workers discovered buckling beams on the 21st floor of a Midtown Manhattan building early Tuesday morning, leading officials to evacuate multiple blocks and establish a frozen zone between 40th and 45th streets and First and Third avenues.

The 37-story structure at 235 E. 42nd Street, formerly the Pfizer headquarters, is undergoing conversion to residential use. Officials said the 21st through 26th floors began caving under stress after support beams started to buckle.

Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said crews reached the 21st floor and confirmed no movement in the building for several hours by late Tuesday night. He stated the building was stable and expressed confidence in the emergency stabilization plan.

Fire Chief John Esposito said earlier that the building had continued to move after first responders arrived. m. Police reported no injuries. m.

m. and determined that contractors could install temporary shoring. Additional stabilization work continued through the evening and into coming days. Seven other buildings near 235 E. 42nd Street were evacuated, including a Hampton Inn. Residents of one building at 222 E.

44th Street were later told they could return. The mayor said a school with 400 students was among the evacuated locations. Officials stated there is no immediate timetable for lifting the frozen zone.

“I can say right now that the building is stable, it has not moved since we started monitoring earlier today and we feel confident in the emergency plan that we have now to make it stable.”