- 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 FULL
