Erica Tishman, a founding partner of DeWitt Tishman Architects, was tragically struck and killed today by a piece of a building facade that fell in Manhattan. The 60-year old architect and vice president at Zubatkin Owner Representation was declared dead on the scene around 10:45 a.m. at 49th Street near 7th Avenue.

According to the police, the incident occurred outside of 729 7th Avenue, a 17-story building that was constructed in 1915. The building had been issued a violation in April for “failure to maintain exterior building facade and appurtenances,” and according to The Wallstreet Journal, a city inspector noted in the April summons that the building had damaged terra cotta above the 15th floor in several locations, “which poses a falling hazard for pedestrians.” 

The building is owned by a limited liability company controlled by commercial real estate firm Himmel + Meringoff Properties. According to Department of Buildings records, the company took out permits in October and November to work on the facade. As of this morning, the scaffolding needed to complete this work has not yet been installed.