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Manhattan Tower Columns Buckle, Raising Collapse Fears
8 Jul
Summary
- Two structural columns failed in a 37-story Manhattan office tower.
- Officials assure no total collapse, but ongoing movement raises concerns.
- The tower is undergoing conversion from offices to residential units.
A 37-story office tower in Midtown Manhattan experienced significant structural issues on Tuesday when at least two critical support columns buckled and failed. This incident prompted the evacuation of surrounding streets and buildings, raising alarms about the building's stability.
City officials, including members of the Fire Department, held a news conference to address the situation. They asserted that while the building was still moving, a complete collapse was unlikely due to its steel-frame construction. However, they admitted concern over the ongoing movement, which independent engineers noted could indicate progressive failure.
The building is in the midst of a conversion from office space to residential units, a process that recently included adding four new floors and a cantilevered section. Engineers have stated that such additions are permissible if the original structure and modifications adequately account for the added weight. The developer suggested the failure was a "typical construction mishap" due to unreinforced columns, but investigations are pending.
Temporary shoring was scheduled to be installed to stabilize the 20th and 21st floors. The developer expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved, with minimal delays to the project's completion.
