A large concrete awning from the historic Hotel St. George crumbled unexpectedly on a Brooklyn sidewalk Sunday morning, creating a scene reminiscent of something out of a “Final Destination” film, as onlookers described it.
The awning, measuring approximately 10 x 20 feet and positioned above the Clark Street subway station in Brooklyn Heights, came crashing down around 7 a.m. in a loud and shocking manner.
Fortunately, no one was injured; a city council member mentioned that it could have been much worse if this had happened during the busy hours of a weekday.
“I was really surprised by the collapse,” said Councilman Lincoln Restler. “We’re lucky this happened on a Sunday morning at 7, because during the week, the outcome could have been very different—potentially serious injuries or even fatalities.”
Restler shared videos and images of the scene on social media, noting that he had previously received complaints about the state of the area, with residents mentioning issues like “stains” and poor station conditions.
He pointed out that just days before, the head of the New York City transit authority had visited the property following requests from the council.
“The place is dirty and almost never cleaned, making it tough for the small businesses around there, especially during hot summer days,” he commented.
He further criticized the building’s management for lack of care, saying, “This isn’t a landlord who invests in or properly maintains the Clark Street subway station, and it’s evident they’ve neglected the building’s exterior as well.”
City officials indicated that similar awnings at other Clark Street entrances also showed signs of poor upkeep.
The Hotel St. George, once the largest hotel in New York City with parts dating back to the 1800s, now contains retail spaces and apartments; the previous lobby is used as an entrance to subway lines 2 and 3.
Alyeen Rojas, a student at the New York Film Academy who resides in the hotel, recounted the sound of the facade collapsing, comparing it to thunder. She expressed concern about the potential tragedy if someone had been at the station at that time.
“Imagine if this happened during rush hour—someone could have been seriously injured or worse,” Rojas added, reflecting on the age of the building as a possible factor in the collapse.
As debris cluttered the sidewalk, residents like a 21-year-old Brooklyn Heights local named Jamie Dalton expressed their gratitude that the incident didn’t occur during busier hours.
“It feels very ‘Final Destination’ to me,” he said, capturing the unsettling nature of the event.
Authorities had not provided immediate comments regarding the incident.
