Two Midtown NYC Hotels Temporarily Close
Precaution Related to Nearby Construction Activity
By Jordan Bradley
At least two hotels within sharing a block with a Manhattan skyscraper under construction were forced to evacuate guests when it was discovered on July 7 that structural elements in the building were failing.
The Westin Grand New York Grand Central sits across from the former Pfizer headquarters on E 43rd Street while the Hampton Inn Manhattan Grand Central sits across E 42nd Street—both sharing a city block with the skyscraper.
The building is currently being converted from office space into apartments. According to local officials, a safety manager reported a compromised steel beam on the 21st floor early in the morning of July 7, the New York Times reported.
Upon arrival, NYC Fire Department officials discovered that two support beams had buckled and several floors were sagging, leading to an evacuation that impacted the skyscraper and several of its neighboring buildings.
Barricades and blockades were installed by NYC police officers in the surrounding blocks to create a “frozen zone,” requiring some travelers trying to reach their hotels in neighboring blocks to trek far before finding a way through, according to the Times.
A front desk agent from Westgate New York Grand Central, located on an adjacent corner from the skyscraper, told USAE that the hotel did not evacuate and had remained “fully operational.”
Representatives from both evacuated hotels did not return USAE messages requesting comment on the situation by press deadline.
Late in the evening of July 7, New York City Building Commissioner Ahmed Tigano said the building was stable, with reports of guests and residents slowly being allowed to return to some of the buildings in the frozen zone the following day.
According to the Westin’s social media, as of mid-afternoon on July 8, the hotel was “open, safe, and fully operational.”
The statement continued: “Yesterday’s temporary closure was a precautionary measure related to construction activity at a neighboring building. Hotel operations have now fully resumed, and we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our guests and associates in accordance with guidance from local officials.”
As of press deadline, it remained unclear whether the re-openings included the Hampton Inn hotel.
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