A 37-story building at 235 East 42nd Street in Manhattan, formerly part of Pfizer's global headquarters and undergoing conversion to a 1,500-unit luxury rental complex, is at risk of partial collapse. The structural failure, involving buckling support beams on the 21st floor, has triggered mass evacuations of the building and at least nine neighboring structures.

Emergency services responded early Tuesday morning after reports of falling bricks and observed bent steel beams. The Department of Buildings has established a frozen zone spanning 40th to 45th streets, from 1st to 3rd avenues, affecting pedestrian and vehicle traffic, though subway lines remain operational.

The incident raises questions about construction safety standards and the potential financial implications for the development project. The timeline for residents to return to their homes is uncertain. No injuries have been reported thus far.