Reports of falling bricks and buckling columns prompted evacuations around a Midtown Manhattan high-rise office building undergoing conversion to luxury apartments, fire officials said Tuesday. The 38-story tower, formerly the global headquarters of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is located near the Chrysler Building and between Grand Central Terminal and the United Nations headquarters.
The New York Fire Department (FDNY) received reports of falling bricks around 8 a.m. and found two columns buckled on the 21st and 22nd floors, with floors sagging between the 21st and 26th floors. Among the evacuated buildings was a school with about 400 children, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. No injuries were reported, and all workers inside the building were accounted for.
The building is part of the largest office-to-residential conversion project in New York City’s history, with plans for over 1,600 units. The project, led by architectural firm Gensler, includes adding more than a dozen stories atop the original tower and redesigning an adjoining tower. A spokesperson for Gensler did not immediately return requests for comment.
Mayor Mamdani stated that first responders identified 'structural issues with the building' but did not confirm whether the building was at risk of collapse. The city’s building department and engineers were on the scene at 235 East 42nd Street to assess the situation. Nearby streets were closed to people and vehicles as a precaution.
The FDNY and NYPD responded to the scene, with officials describing the investigation as ongoing. The Department of Buildings confirmed that the project has active construction permits and that inspectors are reviewing the affected areas. A press briefing by the FDNY is expected to provide additional details later Tuesday.