R.J. Rico

Buckled steel columns in the former Pfizer headquarters triggered evacuations and highlighted engineering challenges in converting aging office buildings into housing. Experts cite the complexity of adding stories and reconfiguring structures while maintaining safety, noting that added loads likely caused the failure. Despite the incident, engineers argue that adaptive reuse remains essential for addressing housing shortages and reducing environmental impacts compared with demolition. Officials expect increased scrutiny of similar projects as office-to-residential conversions expand across New York.