Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe unstable building at 235 East 42nd Street is seen Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (AP)A midtown Manhattan building at 235 East 42nd Street was evacuated Tuesday afternoon after steel beams began bending and structural columns buckled, rendering the high-rise unstable. The 37-story building, formerly Pfizer's headquarters, was undergoing conversion into 1,600 apartments when construction workers noticed the structural issues around 8 a.m. First responders established a 'collapse zone,' evacuating the building and seven nearby structures, including hotels, though no injuries were reported and all construction workers were accounted for. The evacuations forced tourists and locals, including guests from the Hampton Inn and Westin, to seek alternative accommodations, with some residents unsure when they can return to their homes. Emergency repairs began Tuesday evening after officials confirmed no further movement, but the 'collapse zone' remains in effect, and the building had accumulated 22 violations since 2020. In fullNYC high-rise ‘collapse zone’ leaves guests and locals scrambling for hotel rooms as street closures continueMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
One discovery sent tourists running from a Manhattan high-rise
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe unstable building at 235 East 42nd Street is seen Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (AP)A midtown Manhattan building at 235 East 42nd Street was evacuated Tuesday afternoon after steel beams began bending and structural columns buckled, rendering the high-rise unstable. The 37-story building, formerly Pfizer's headquarters, was undergoing conversion into 1,600 apartments when construction workers noticed the structural issues around 8 a.m. First responders established a 'collapse zone,' evacuating the building and seven nearby structures, including hotels, though no injuries were reported and all construction workers were accounted for. The evacuations forced tourists and locals, including guests from the Hampton Inn and Westin, to seek alternative accommodations, with some residents unsure when they can return to their homes. Emergency repairs began Tuesday evening after officials confirmed no further movement, but the 'collapse zone' remains in effect, and the building had accumulated 22 violations since 2020. In fullNYC high-rise ‘collapse zone’ leaves guests and locals scrambling for hotel rooms as street closures continueMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
