local
New York construction scare highlights the challenges of converting offices into housing
By R.J. Rico, Jessica Hill And Philip Marcelo, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· July 10, 2026
· 5 min read
When two steel columns buckled this week inside the former Pfizer headquarters in midtown Manhattan, the scare prompted evacuations and halted work on one of the nation’s largest office-to-apartment conversions.It also highlighted the complex engineering behind adaptive reuse projects, which have...
Key takeaway The plans call for turning two office buildings — one built in 1909, the other in the 1960s — into about 1,600 apartments by adding more than a dozen stories atop the older structure and redesigning and expanding the other.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
The challenges of converting offices into housing, as seen in the recent New York construction scare, have significant implications for Terrell Hills and the broader San Antonio area. As local officials explore ways to address the region's housing shortage, adaptive reuse projects may become increasingly appealing. The San Antonio area has its own stock of underused office buildings, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could be repurposed as residential units. However, the complexities and risks associated with such projects, as highlighted by the New York incident, must be carefully considered. Local engineers and construction experts will need to navigate similar challenges, including ensuring that older buildings can safely support new loads and redesigning office floors for residential use. The success of such projects will depend on meticulous planning, expertise, and attention to detail to avoid similar setbacks and provide much-needed housing for the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When two steel columns buckled this week inside the former Pfizer headquarters in midtown Manhattan, the scare prompted evacuations and halted work on one of the nation’s largest office-to-apartment conversions.It also highlighted the complex engineering behind adaptive reuse projects, which have...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by R.J. Rico, Jessica Hill And Philip Marcelo, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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