The transformation of a high-rise office building in Midtown Manhattan into apartments suffered a setback on Tuesday. Structural issues raised alarm, leading to evacuations and closures near Grand Central Terminal.
The Fire Department acted swiftly after receiving reports of falling bricks from the building at 235 East 42nd Street. This site, previously housing the headquarters of Pfizer, is undergoing a major conversion to create 1,600 residential units. It aims to be the largest office-to-residential conversion in the United States.
A safety manager identified a compromised steel beam on the 21st floor of the 37-story structure. Additional concerns arose as two interior support columns showed signs of buckling, and multiple upper floors were observed sagging.
No Injuries Reported
Fortunately, there were no injuries. Construction workers were evacuated from the building, as were individuals from neighboring buildings at 225 and 221 East 43rd Street. According to Cliff Johnsen, business agent for Steamfitters Local 638, union members were evacuated due to the bending beams. Johnsen noted, “The north side of that building is crumbling.”
As a precautionary measure, a “frozen zone” extended from 40th Street to 45th Street and from First Avenue to Third Avenue, as stated by Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a news briefing.
Details of the Conversion Project
The former Pfizer headquarters consists of two buildings, 235 and 219 East 42nd Street, merged for this conversion project. This initiative is part of a citywide effort to repurpose vacant office spaces to address housing shortages. The project is led by Metro Loft and David Werner Real Estate, who began work in 2024 with an expected completion date next year. Plans include adding 11 stories to the existing structure at 219 East 42nd Street.
Out of the 1,602 total apartments, 400 are designated as affordable housing. The design also features over 100,000 square feet of amenities, such as shops, a rooftop pool, and a fitness center.
Metro Loft released a statement acknowledging the structural concerns and promising cooperation with the Buildings Department to assess the situation comprehensively.
Contributions to the report were made by Claire Fahy, Mihir Zaveri, Caitlyn Freeman, Chelsia Rose Marcius, Matthew Haag, Hurubie Meko, and Davaughnia Wilson.