Midtown NYC building evacuated after support beams buckle, floors cave

A Midtown high-rise was dramatically evacuated during the Tuesday morning rush when massive beams in the under-construction building started buckling — prompting several floors to cave in and sending bricks raining down on the street under the crushing strain.

The 37-story commercial building at 235 E. 42nd St. near Second Avenue was cleared of hardhats around 8:11 a.m. when panicked construction workers spotted two faulty support beams bending and starting to give way on its 21st and 22nd floors, according to the NYPD and FDNY.

The terrifying slow-motion collapse appeared to stem from ongoing construction involving the addition of 11 floors to the building, which used to house pharma giant Pfizer and is now being converted to apartments, sources said. 

“The I-beams are bending like cigarettes in there, which is super dangerous,” Local 638 Steamfitter Cliff Johnsen told reporters outside the unstable structure. ---More..

BREAKING: Midtown Manhattan high rise evacuated after construction workers discover buckled columns ... sagging floors and falling bricks. 42nd & 43rd streets near 2nd avenue closed as DOB assesses the danger. pic.twitter.com/294MXBdkeY

— Steven Bognar (@Bogs4NY)July 7, 2026

Midtown Manhattan high rise evacuated after construction workers discover buckled columns ... sagging floors and falling bricks. 42nd & 43rd streets near 2nd avenue closed as DOB assesses the danger.

???? FDNY Are Evacuating the Former Pfizer Headquarters Building in New York City Amid Reports of Structural Damage

“Building inspectors are there at the scene investigating reports that a structural support beam was beginning to buckle.” pic.twitter.com/yq6MMvivoY

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd)July 7, 2026