Buckling building in Midtown NYC will face partial demolition — but stabilizing it will be risky: experts

The high-rise building located at 235 E. 42nd St. near Second Avenue in Midtown Manhattan has been deemed unsafe and in need of partial demolition following a dangerous buckling incident on Tuesday. Structural engineers have warned that without intervention, the building poses a significant danger and could potentially collapse.

The 37-story former Pfizer headquarters will first need to be stabilized in order to prevent a localized collapse. The buckled columns on several floors are currently only holding a third of their intended load, putting stress on the intact beams and columns. Engineers will need to install brackets on the columns in the floor below the failed columns to re-level the structure and reduce the load on the remaining infrastructure.

The stabilization process will involve replacing the failed columns, but it can only be done once experts assess the safety of the building and the design of the new columns. This assessment will determine the extent of the damage and the necessary repairs. The building will require at least partial demolition before any reconstruction can begin.

The high-rise was in the midst of a commercial-to-residential conversion project, with plans to create approximately 1,600 residential units. The building was evacuated on Tuesday when construction workers noticed faulty support beams bending on the 21st and 22nd floors. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as all workers were able to safely exit the building.

The instability issue may have been caused by ongoing construction work to add 11 floors to the building. Potential scenarios for the destabilization include overloaded columns from unexpected loads or damage to vital components that were supporting the buckled columns. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation.

Structural engineers emphasized the importance of rapid stabilization and structural repair to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of the building. The process of stabilizing the building and preparing for demolition will be a complex and risky endeavor, requiring careful planning and execution by experienced professionals.