Concrete slab tilts on SF high-rise; 16 buildings evacuated

Sixteen office buildings were evacuated and several streets were shut down in San Francisco during rush hour Wednesday afternoon after a crane malfunctioned and a giant concrete slab started tilting atop a skyscraper under construction.

San Francisco Fire Department spokesman Jonathan Baxter said there was no danger of the 1-ton concrete slab falling from the 35th floor of a luxury apartment building in the South of Market neighborhood.

City inspectors went to the building on 41 Tehama Street and concluded there was “no imminent danger to the public or the surrounding buildings or to any individual,” Baxter said.

Assistant Fire Chief Tom Sirogusa said workers had just finished pouring concrete when something gave way, leaving the slab listing on one side.

Construction management firm Lendlease said the incident occurred after a partial hydraulic failure while the slab was being raised to the 36th level.

Lendlease Senior Vice President Mary Costello said the 37-story, 403-unit luxury residential tower near the Transbay Transit Center is being developed by Hines and Invesco Real Estate. LendLease is the general contractor.