A New York Times analysis shows that the pace of office-to-residential conversions like the former Pfizer building, where two steel columns buckled in July, has quickened sharply.
Drawings obtained by The New York Times and reviewed by engineers show insufficient reinforcements on eight more steel columns than previously known at a Manhattan building.
Drawings obtained by The New York Times show the columns called for additional steel plates, but engineers reviewing site photos said they appeared to be missing.
Offices and hotels around East 42nd Street were evacuated after structural damage affected an office conversion project. Traffic was halted in the area. No injuries were reported.
A building at risk of partial collapse prompted the city to restrict pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the area. Some buses were diverted or delayed, but subway lines remained uninterrupted.
Several Manhattan buildings were evacuated Tuesday morning after construction workers discovered the structure of an office building was compromised, officials said.