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.
After two steel beams buckled at a Manhattan high-rise last month, city officials conducted inspections at dozens of construction sites across the city. None of the violations posed a danger to the public, the city said.
For nearly three weeks, restaurants and other small businesses in the shadow of the former Pfizer building were shut when the tower began to buckle.
The Department of Buildings ordered work to stop on certain floors at 750 Third Avenue. It’s the third conversion project to have work halted since one became dangerously unstable earlier this month.
Among those connected to companies that worked on 235 East 42nd Street were a man who once bribed city officials and a developer who gave a loan to Bernard Kerik.
The inspections were prompted by an incident in Midtown last week, an official said. It was unclear how many sites were being looked at.
Documents submitted to Congress detailed concerns about competitive bidding processes and a White House order to tear up new bathroom tile because of its color.
Crews installed “temporary shoring” on more floors in the building, and the developer of the project has reassured investors that the project will be completed on time.