Skyscraper at risk of collapse in New York, firefighters evacuate the building

Skyscraper at risk of collapse in Manhattan. Shortly before 8am this morning (2pm in Italy) the firefighters received a call regarding falling bricks near number 235 East 42nd Street, the former headquarters of the Pfizer located between Grand Central Terminal and the United Nations headquarters. The building is currently being converted from offices to apartments.

This morning, a safety officer reported a steel beam failure on the 21st floor of the building. According to the firefighters, two load-bearing beams inside the building are deforming and several floors have sagging. The building was evacuated.

The building, former headquarters of the pharmaceutical company Pfizeris currently being renovated to be converted into a residential complex with over 1,600 apartments. Once the work is completed, expected by 2027, it will be the largest conversion of its kind in the history of New York, according to the architectural firm responsible for the project.