MIDTOWN — Part of Seventh Avenue was closed for Monday morning's rush after large chunks of the Sheraton hotel's exterior wall, two of which were 9-feet long, fell to the street, officials said.
Officials believe high winds Sunday night may have dislodged the panels, but investigators will determine the official cause, a Department of Buildings spokesman said.
Seventh Avenue was taped off from West 53rd Street to West 52nd Street, with traffic being rerouted. It will remain closed until DOB completes its investigation.
Road closures d/t falling debris at 7th Ave btwn W52nd-W53rd St (MN). Vehicular traffic & #MTA buses rerouted info: https://t.co/68R71Sn2tT
— NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) January 11, 2016The road was closed after three panels dislodged from the western facade near the 44th floor of 811 Seventh Ave. and fell Sunday night, according to the DOB.
Two of the panels are 5 by 9 feet and made of aluminum, while the third is 2 by 2 feet, officials said.
There were no reported injuries, an FDNY spokesman said.
It was not immediately clear what time the debris fell.
M7, M20 and M104 buses were all rerouted because of the closure, MTA officials said.
The Sheraton will build a sidewalk shed while crews continue to inspect the wall and make repairs as needed, Buildings officials said.
