New York high-rise scare exposes the challenges of converting offices into housing

A recent scare in New York involving a high-rise building owned by Pfizer has highlighted the complexities of converting commercial office spaces into residential units. Engineers suspect the structural failure, which caused columns to buckle, was due to the added weight from the conversion. This incident underscores the potential risks and engineering challenges in such projects, raising questions about the safety and feasibility of transforming office buildings into housing amid a growing demand for urban living spaces. The event also brings to light broader issues regarding building codes and the adaptability of older structures to modern residential needs.