Midtown buckling beams force evacuations as crews shore up 37-story high-rise

Two structural beams on the 21st floor of a 37-story, under-construction building at 235 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan buckled, triggering mass evacuations, street closures and a large emergency response. City crews began installing temporary shoring while inspectors assess stability; a frozen zone from 40th to 45th Streets is in effect, and some residents may be allowed to return as conditions permit. The Pfizer HQ conversion project has a history of violations, but officials say the entire building is not at immediate risk of collapse, and ongoing stabilization efforts will continue with city agencies monitoring the situation.