A prominent Midtown Manhattan office building, once home to pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, was evacuated Tuesday morning after authorities received reports of structural failure and warned of a potential collapse.
The New York Fire Department (FDNY) responded around 8 a.m. to the 37- or 38-story tower at 235 East 42nd Street in the 200 block near Grand Central Terminal, following calls about falling bricks.
Construction workers on site reported buckled support columns on the 21st floor, sagging floors, and debris falling from the building, which is undergoing conversion from commercial offices to residential apartments.
Officials ordered the full evacuation of the high-rise and at least nine nearby buildings as a precaution. Streets were closed in the area, including sections of 42nd and 43rd Streets between Second and Third Avenues. No injuries have been reported.
The building, long associated with Pfizer, has been the focus of redevelopment efforts in recent years. City agencies, including the Department of Buildings, are on scene investigating the structural issues.
”This is a developing situation,” an FDNY spokesperson said. ”Public safety is our top priority, and we are working to secure the area while engineers assess the building’s integrity.”
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the apparent structural distress. The incident comes amid broader concerns about aging infrastructure and rapid redevelopment in Midtown Manhattan.
Residents and workers in the vicinity are urged to avoid the area. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from city officials.
