The conversion of an office building on East 42nd Street in New York City is set to become the largest of its kind in the city’s history. This initiative aims to tackle the city’s housing crisis through redeveloping office spaces into residential complexes.

The building at 235 East 42nd Street, formerly the headquarters of Pfizer, is being transformed into over 1,600 apartments. This conversion process is being led by Gensler, the architectural firm behind the project.

On Tuesday, construction workers identified a compromised steel beam on the 21st floor, posing a risk of structural instability. The Fire Department noted that two support columns were buckling, and several floors were sagging. These discoveries prompted the evacuation of workers, as well as nearby buildings and a school. Roads around the site were also closed due to safety concerns.

MetroLoft, collaborating with David Werner Real Estate, is responsible for the building’s conversion. The company stated it is actively working with the Buildings Department to assess the situation and address the problems.

During a news conference, Mayor Zohran Mamdani indicated that the 37-story building remains unstable as efforts continue to secure the structure.