NYC Finds Violations at 180 Sites Linked to Unstable Midtown Tower
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 4
NYC Finds Violations at 180 Sites Linked to Unstable Midtown Tower
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 4
Summary
A city sweep of 180 construction sites tied to firms or individuals on the 235 East 42nd Street project found dozens of code violations and triggered several stop-work orders.
The review began after two steel beams buckled on the 21st floor of the former Pfizer headquarters, forcing thousands to evacuate when the Midtown conversion appeared at risk of collapse.
Andrew Rudansky said inspectors found no hazardous structural issues posing imminent public danger in the broader sweep, though 24 of the sites were office-to-residential conversions.
The Buildings Department is still investigating the Pfizer project itself, including construction records, witness interviews and a full site sweep; The New York Times previously found columns appeared not to be reinforced as plans indicated.
Three other conversion projects had already faced full or partial shutdowns, including 222 Broadway, 77 Water Street and 750 Third Avenue, widening scrutiny of New York's office-to-housing boom.