Unstable building in Midtown Manhattan forces multiple evacuations, street closures
Summary
A 37-story building under construction at 235 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan showed signs of structural instability, causing evacuations and street closures. Emergency crews found buckling columns and sagging floors but no injuries were reported as workers and nearby residents were safely evacuated.Key Facts
- The building is undergoing an office-to-residential conversion.
- Firefighters responded after reports of bricks falling shortly before 8 a.m. on July 7, 2026.
- Structural damage was observed, including buckled columns on the 21st floor and sagging floors up to the 26th floor.
- No injuries were reported, and all workers were accounted for.
- Surrounding buildings and a nearby school with about 400 children were evacuated.
- Streets from 40th to 45th between First and Third avenues were closed to pedestrians and vehicles.
- Emergency crews used drones to inspect the building and started installing emergency supports called trusses.
- Officials said the steel-frame design reduces the risk of total collapse but remain concerned about localized collapse.
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