Source: https://www.insurancejournal.com/, July 8, 2026
By: Natalie Wong

The structural concerns that led New York City officials to shut down a Midtown Manhattan high-rise and evacuate surrounding buildings are “very small,” said Nathan Berman, the chief executive officer of Metro Loft, which is leading the project to convert the historic Pfizer building into apartments.

Two columns in the northwest corner of the building at 235 East 42nd Street hadn’t been adequately reinforced, he said, causing the supports to buckle and the floor to sag. By midafternoon, city inspectors and the building’s contractor had entered the building to determine whether it was safe to begin shoring efforts. Read more.