Structural Damage in Manhattan Tower Linked to Added Floors During Conversion Project

A partial collapse risk in a Manhattan tower undergoing conversion from offices to residences is likely due to the added weight from new floors, according to Nathan Berman, CEO of MetroLoft, the company managing the project. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Berman explained that the building, formerly Pfizer's headquarters, is being transformed into a residential complex with approximately 1,600 apartments, a rooftop pool, gym, and ground-floor retail space. The extensive renovation includes adding floors and upgrading the entire complex.

Berman stated that two support columns on the 21st floor, which apparently were not sufficiently reinforced, failed under the additional load. This caused steel beams to bend, prompting authorities to evacuate nine buildings in the area, including the Israeli consulate. He emphasized that the damage is confined to the newly added sections and does not affect the building's foundations or the majority of its structure. "Ninety-five percent of the building and its foundations remain strong and intact," Berman said, dismissing concerns of a total collapse.

The building, constructed in the 1960s and covering about 150,000 square meters, has been under planning review for two years, according to Ahmed Tigani, chair of the city's building committee. Following the incident, an engineering investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the column failure. The project aims to complete construction by next year, with 25% of the apartments designated as affordable housing.