Midtown Manhattan High-Rise Stabilized After Buckled Beams Prompt Evacuations

A 37-story high-rise building in Midtown Manhattan is undergoing emergency stabilization after officials say it was at risk of partially collapsing.

The building, located near Grand Central Terminal, was evacuated after construction crews raised concerns about its stability. Video captured by workers inside the building showed steel supports bending on an upper floor, prompting an immediate response from engineers, firefighters and city officials.

Emergency crews worked overnight to reinforce the structure after drones detected what appeared to be a slight lean in the building.

New York City Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said officials are confident the emergency shoring measures are helping stabilize the situation, adding that monitoring has shown the building has not moved since crews began their response.

The evacuation affected nine nearby buildings, including schools, restaurants, hotels and a local news station that was forced to broadcast from outside. A limited number of residents have since been allowed to return.

The building is part of a major redevelopment project converting Pfizer’s former global headquarters into a 1,600-unit luxury apartment building. The developer said safety remains the top priority and that the affected area represents only a small section of the project.

The incident is drawing renewed attention to structural safety in New York City following other building failures, including a partial collapse at a public housing building in the Bronx and a deadly parking garage collapse in 2023.

Structural engineers say stabilizing the building will require careful work to ensure the weight of each floor is properly supported down to the foundation.

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