New York construction scare highlights the challenges of converting offices into housing AP News
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The Empire Towers Building in Glen Burnie, Maryland, was evacuated and declared structurally unstable following construction activities that compromised the facility's integrity. Structural engineers identified sagging ceilings and exposed rebar in the parking garage, leading Anne Arundel County officials to establish a 150-foot safety perimeter. This incident highlights critical risks associated with renovation projects in occupied multi-story structures and the immediate impact of structural failures on local infrastructure and tenant operations.
July 13, 2026Gilbane Building has officially transitioned Micron Technology’s semiconductor campus in Clay, New York, into the vertical construction phase following the project's first concrete placement. Serving as the preconstruction and site infrastructure contractor, Gilbane has moved the project forward more than one quarter ahead of its original schedule. This milestone marks a significant step in one of the largest advanced manufacturing developments in the United States, signaling a massive influx of work for the regional construction supply chain and skilled labor force.
July 12, 2026A major structural failure at the former Pfizer Building in Midtown East forced a mass evacuation and a 12-block frozen zone after steel beams buckled during an office-to-residential conversion. The incident at 235 East 42nd Street involved the twisting of two structural columns on the 21st floor under the weight of a new 11-story addition. This event highlights the engineering complexities and safety risks associated with large-scale commercial-to-residential redevelopments, which are currently a focal point of New York City’s housing strategy.
July 12, 2026One building cleared to reenter as contractors work to shore up Manhattan high-rise NBC New York
July 11, 2026