Pfizer Building Developer Blames Buckled Columns on New Addition

MetroLoft, the developer converting the former Pfizer Building in Midtown Manhattan into residential units, has stated that the buckling of support columns on the 21st floor was a "freak accident" caused by the weight of a new addition. The incident on Tuesday led to the evacuation of construction workers and nearby buildings, though no injuries were reported and the FDNY indicated the building was not at risk of a full collapse. Nathan Berman, principal of MetroLoft, explained that the columns either lacked sufficient reinforcement or were not reinforced adequately, leading to their failure. He asserted that the project was designed and approved by structural engineers, and there was no underlying mystery to the event.

The construction project at 235 East 42nd St., the former headquarters of Pfizer, involves transforming the 1.3 million-square-foot complex into approximately 1,600 residential units. This conversion spans two buildings: a 33-story structure built in 1960 and a 10-story building from 1905 that is being expanded to 29 floors. The buckling occurred in the larger, 33-story building while crews were working on the 21st floor. Drone footage from the FDNY revealed sagging floors on upper levels and the compromised support columns.

City officials ordered the evacuation of the construction site and nine adjacent buildings as a precautionary measure. The FDNY's assessment concluded that a complete building collapse was not imminent. The incident highlights the structural challenges that can arise during large-scale building conversions, particularly when adding significant weight to existing structures. The developer's statement emphasizes the unexpected nature of the column failure, attributing it to specific reinforcement issues rather than design flaws.