Is 161 Maiden Lane safe to be around or could it collapse?
Posted on Mar 02, 2026 / Travel
People sometimes worry because of the “leaning” label, but structural engineers involved over the years have generally said the tilt itself doesn’t mean the building is about to fall over. The lean is caused by settlement in the foundation, but experts have repeatedly indicated the structure’s core is stable enough to stand as-is. That said, the project has faced safety issues unrelated to the lean, like a long period where the standpipe system used for fire suppression wasn’t functioning, which led city inspectors to declare the building a fire hazard at one point. Because construction is unfinished and parts of the tower remain exposed to the weather, it’s not the same as a finished, sealed building with full protections in place. The site has also been in litigation and paused for so long that it ends up as more of an eerie skeleton than a regular construction site. The city’s Department of Buildings has inspected it and required fixes on specific safety systems, but everyday public access is restricted because it’s still technically a construction zone. So while there’s no sign of imminent collapse, it’s not a finished building where you’d expect full safety systems in place yet.
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