A developer overseeing the conversion of the former Pfizer headquarters in Midtown Manhattan into residential apartments has downplayed concerns about structural safety following an incident that caused part of the building to sag, affirming plans to continue the project.
On Tuesday morning, support columns within the 37-story tower at 235 East 42nd Street buckled on the 21st and 22nd floors, leading to sagging between the 21st and 26th floors. Firefighters initially responded to reports of falling bricks from the building's facade but discovered the internal structural damage upon arrival. No injuries were reported, and by the afternoon, emergency crews had stabilized the compromised sections.
Nathan Berman, developer and principal of MetroLoft, which is partnering on the conversion to a 1,600-unit residential complex, characterized the event as a "freak accident" involving two columns that either lacked sufficient reinforcement or were not properly reinforced. He maintained that the situation was contained and emphasized that the building had never been at risk of collapse. “This is a very fixable issue, and something that our guys are experienced enough to fix,” Berman said. He added that the project remained on schedule for completion in 2027 and that concern over imminent danger had been overstated.
City officials have taken a more cautious approach. Mamdani, the city’s mayor, stated that the Department of Buildings (DOB) is closely overseeing emergency response efforts and will conduct a thorough investigation once immediate emergency work concludes. “DOB is going to be conducting a rigorous assessment and ensuring that the plans and the site are fully compliant with all codes before any non-emergency work moves forward,” Mamdani said during a Wednesday press briefing.
In response to the incident, a freeze zone was established around the site, initially covering multiple blocks. With emergency measures in place, the frozen zone was subsequently reduced to two blocks, and the number of evacuated buildings decreased from several to four. Mamdani affirmed there had been no further structural movement since the initial incident.
The conversion project, which involves repurposing a commercial office tower into one of the city’s largest residential developments, aligns with city efforts to address a housing shortage. However, Mamdani stressed the importance of executing such projects safely and with full regulatory compliance. “We have to do so safely and in a way that is fully accountable,” he remarked.
Work remains suspended while officials review the structural integrity and compliance with construction codes. No timeline has been provided for when construction might resume. Meanwhile, Berman remains optimistic that the setback will not affect the overall schedule.