09/07/2026
New York City's Department of Buildings (DOB) has released a new image showing the emergency works to stablise the 37-storey tower at 235 East 42nd Street after structural columns were seen buckling on its 21st floor.
In a statement on X the Department said: "Crews working through the night have made significant progress in stabilizing the impacted building at 235 East 42nd Street. DOB inspectors and engineers will remain on site to monitor the progress of work and continue their investigation into the structural failure."
New York City Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani had reassured New Yorkers on Tuesday night that the building was stable.
Formerly the headquarters of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, the building at 235 East 42nd Street had been undergoing renovation work to convert it from office space to more than 1,600 high-end apartments โ including the addition of four new floors and the extension of several other levels.
Fire crews were called to reports of falling masonry at the site on Tuesday morning local time. A 'frozen-zone' was established from 40th to 45th Streets and from First to Third Avenues, which saw the area closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic and buildings evacuated.
The building renovation project, designed by Gensler for Metro Loft and David Werner Real Estate, had been due to complete in 2027. It's understood that the general contractor is 235 GC LLC with GACE as structural engineers.
๐ท NYC Department of Buildings
