Developer says Midtown conversion will stay on schedule after temporary shoring added

Construction crews on Thursday added temporary steel shoring to every floor from the ninth level up to the roof of a 37-story former Pfizer headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, after two columns on the 21st floor gave way earlier in the week. The New York City Department of Buildings said steel columns were also placed throughout the structure to reinforce the original supports, though officials did not explain why reinforcement was needed beyond the damaged floors.

The incident forced the evacuation of nearby residents, halted traffic and triggered a large emergency response to prevent a partial collapse. The department continues to investigate the cause of the column failure.

"The project will be completed in 2027 on schedule, with only minor delays," said Nathan Berman, founder of MetroLoft, one of the developers, in communications with investors.

Berman has been in contact with investors since the incident, emphasizing that the timeline for converting the office tower into apartments remains unchanged.