This report just came in from the 76th Precinct. We’ve dispatched a reporter and should have a post-collapse photo up within the hour. …At approximately 10 p.m. last night, August 10, there was a partial building collapse at 455 Smith Street. An exterior wall and scaffolding collapsed onto the sidewalk and street. The building was unoccupied, and fortunately no one was injured. Seven (7) parked vehicles were damaged by the falling debris. The Buildings Department is currently assessing the structure and investigating the collapse. Update: The photos are starting to roll in above. Update 2: A reader directed us to some photos he took back in April of the building showing it was already partially demo’d. And another reader points us to this post from now-deceased blogger Bob Guskind predicting that disaster was imminent at this site, which is part of the Public Place project. GMAP
Note: images updated at 10:13 a.m.

Two photos above by Erick Capps