Midtown Manhattan building collapse forces evacuation of offices, including NewsNation studio

A partial collapse at 235 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan caused structural columns to buckle and bricks to fall from the building under construction. First responders arrived early on Tuesday, and the Department of Buildings declared a localized collapse risk, prompting the evacuation of the building and several nearby offices.

Media outlets occupying the affected block, such as NewsNation and WPIX, were forced to leave their studios and relocate coverage elsewhere. NewsNation’s correspondent anchored from Washington, D.C., after the evacuation.

City engineers are stabilizing the skyscraper with emergency shoring; more than 100 shoring jacks have been delivered, and workers plan to replace the damaged columns once the Department of Buildings grants clearance. The developer, MetroLoft, says the building has been temporarily shored and is not in immediate danger of further collapse, though full repairs may extend down to the foundation.