Manhattan High-Rise Remains Unstable After Columns Buckle, Forcing Evacuations

A high-rise building in Midtown Manhattan, currently undergoing conversion into luxury apartments, remains unstable after its structural columns buckled, leading to widespread evacuations on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. The 37-story former Pfizer headquarters, located near Grand Central Terminal, experienced buckling in two columns on the 21st and 22nd floors, causing floors between the 21st and 26th stories to sag. Initial reports of falling bricks prompted emergency responders to the scene, where they discovered the serious structural issues.

New York City officials have confirmed the building is still moving and highly unstable, leading to the evacuation of nearby structures, including a school with 400 students, and the closure of surrounding streets to ensure public safety. Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized the gravity of the situation, though no injuries have been reported, and all construction workers are accounted for. Engineers are currently utilizing drones for monitoring and are developing plans to stabilize the compromised structure.