Midtown Manhattan experienced significant disruption on July 7, 2026, as blocks surrounding 235 E. 42nd Street were evacuated after construction workers discovered structural support beams buckling on the 21st floor. The 37-story building, undergoing conversion from office space to residential units, showed internal damage and continued to move, raising fears of a partial collapse. Fire Chief John Esposito stated the building was not yet stable, though a full street collapse was considered less likely.

Emergency responders, including units from the FDNY and the city's Department of Buildings, established a frozen zone spanning 40th to 45th Streets and 1st to 3rd Avenues, closing the area to all traffic. Nearby buildings, including a hotel and a school with 400 students, were also evacuated as a precaution. Structural engineers are monitoring the building's movement from the exterior, with plans to shore it up with emergency trusses once deemed safe.

The building, formerly the Pfizer headquarters, is one of the city's largest office-to-apartment conversion projects. Developer Metro Loft confirmed cooperation with the Department of Buildings' investigation. Records indicate the building had seven violations between July and December 2025, resulting in over $32,000 in fines.