WATCH: Experts warn at least some demolition needed at scene of sagging skyscraper * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh
Experts have told the Daily Mail that at least some demolition will be needed on a 37-story skyscraper in Manhattan that was evacuated this week when construction workers converting the office structure into residential units found some of the support pillars buckling.
Authorities have confirmed two columns in the building on East 42nd Street buckled, with the cracks and other evidence of a problem appearing.
“Experts have now warned that the former Pfizer headquarters, which was being renovated into luxury apartments, will require some demolition. Even attempting that could trigger a collapse and create a scene that would likely traumatize many New Yorkers who witnessed the fall of the World Trade Center on 9/11,” the report confirmed.
Structural engineer Emily Guglielmo told the New York Post, “The images we have seen show a buckled column, you can see cracking, you can see floors that are sagging, those generally are damage that is not reversible.
“It’s not like we can just push a cracked floor up and it can maintain its capacity, so there will absolutely be removal and replacement of some of these elements.”
Beams bending in Manhattan skyscraper
Temporary bracing likely will be used to stabilize the building, but even that could be dangerous.
Ronald Hamburger, another structural engineer, also said there is “significant danger” of a collapse.
The New York skyscraper now making headlines has a history of its own.
The building in question is the former Pfizer headquarters at 235 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan — just one block from Grand Central Terminal.
It was designed by the well-known New York architecture… pic.twitter.com/FyFdydJB16
— Romy Jacob (@JacobRomy78019) July 8, 2026
BREAKING: Manhattan Skyscraper in danger of COLLAPSE. Multiple buildings nearby have reportedly been EVACUATED.
The building is located on the corner of 42nd St and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan.
Video by Kevin RC Wilson | Licensing @FreedomNTV [email protected] pic.twitter.com/hlWVcKfBre
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) July 7, 2026
While mitigation work is needed soon, he said, engineers will need to survey and document the damage first.
Metro Loft Management, the property developer, told the publication there is no risk of the entire building collapsing.
But city officials warn it’s a serious situation. They granted permission for immediate emergency repairs, and workers were shoring up the damaged components.
The plans were for the former office building to be turned into some 1,600 residential units.
‘Terrifying footage’: Watch Manhattan skyscraper evacuated when workers see columns buckling
Bob Unruh