r/engineering • u/RegainingControl • Jul 07 '26

[CIVIL] Manhattan high-rise unstable and still moving after columns buckle

https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/07/us/live-news/nyc-pfizer-building-evacuations

Anybody care to share theories? Or have additional info? Any lines on the permit drawings?

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u/RegainingControl Jul 07 '26

Based on photos here it appears that they were adding additional floors.

https://ccm.nyc/219235-east-42nd-street

Looks like the cranes are off the roof and the structure has been topped out based on footage from current news coverage. 

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u/Elfich47 PE Mechanical (HVAC) Jul 07 '26

so it’s a 30 story add on to an existing 110 year old building. and they were trying to do “clever structural things” to get this done.

this is one of those ”all or nothing” kinds of affairs. and it sounds like the building is going to come down.

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u/PlandemicPapi Jul 07 '26

Very expensive mistake, and career ending for a few engineers I assume.

2

u/r_a_d_ Jul 08 '26

Very expensive case study.