Partial collapse of West Village building forces tenants out

Façade of fifth and sixth floors were "bowing" when FDNY arrived on scene

85 Christopher Street
85 Christopher Street

Residents were evacuated when the top portion of A Building On Christopher Street started to collapse yesterday.

According to the fire department, the façade of the fifth and sixth floors of 85 Christopher Street were “bowing” when they arrived at the scene. And one resident told DNAinfo that he could hear bricks and cement falling from the top floors onto the scaffolding below.

The building, which has at least nine open violations with the Department of Buildings, has a history of problems, residents told DNAinfo. Tenants also claimed that the landlord, Kenneth Friedman, had not performed necessary repairs.

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Representatives from the NYPD, FDNY, Office of Emergency Management, Department of Buildings and Con Edison all reported to the scene. The displaced residents were provided emergency housing near John F. Kennedy Airport by the Red Cross.

Officials indicated that they were not sure when residents would be able to return to their homes. [DNAinfo] — Sasha von Oldershausen