Midtown tower stabilized for shoring after collapse scare

A Midtown office-to-residential conversion at the former Pfizer HQ saw two columns buckle on the 21st–22nd floors, triggering evacuations and a large emergency response. By afternoon engineers reported no further movement and crews began temporary shoring, with some residents allowed to return as officials continued safety checks. The MetroLoft project—valued at about $98.7 million and totaling roughly 1,600 apartments—adds four floors to the main building and 19 to an adjacent structure. About 130 fire and EMS personnel were on scene; no injuries were reported.