Several blocks in Midtown Manhattan were evacuated Tuesday morning after construction workers discovered structural support beams buckling on the 21st floor of an office building undergoing conversion into residential units. The incident, which occurred at 235 East 42nd Street, prompted a response from the New York City Fire Department and the Department of Buildings.

The discovery was made around 8:11 a.m. on July 7, 2026, when workers observed the beams beginning to buckle. This structural compromise led to the 21st through 26th floors of the 37-story building experiencing stress, with initial calls to the FDNY reporting bricks falling from the structure. The building is a significant project, noted as one of the largest office-to-apartment conversion projects in the city's history.

Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported, and all construction workers were safely evacuated. In addition to the building itself, several adjacent structures were also evacuated as a precautionary measure, including a nearby Hampton Inn. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated at an unrelated news conference that a school with approximately 400 students was among the evacuated locations.

As of 11:15 a.m., the FDNY reported that nine buildings had been evacuated. Mayor Mamdani emphasized that the primary concern is the safety of residents and workers in the area, with DOB inspectors and engineers actively working to secure the site and its surroundings. Several nearby streets were closed to traffic as emergency personnel conducted their inspections.

The 37-story building was in the process of being converted from commercial office space to residential units. The scale of this conversion project highlights the city's ongoing efforts to address housing needs by repurposing existing commercial structures.

Building inspectors and engineers were on-site throughout the morning to assess the extent of the damage and determine the necessary steps for stabilization. The Department of Buildings is expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses and a plan for remediation is developed.

The incident raises questions about the structural integrity of large-scale conversion projects and the protocols in place to ensure safety during such extensive renovations. The swift response from emergency services and the evacuation of multiple buildings underscore the potential risks involved when structural issues are identified.

Further details regarding the cause of the beam buckling and the timeline for the building's stabilization and the reopening of evacuated areas are anticipated. City officials are focused on ensuring the safety of the immediate vicinity while assessing the long-term implications for the building and its ongoing conversion.