The Vessel, Site Of Four Suicides In NYC, To Reopen After Three-Year Closure

The Vessel, the iconic vertical sculpture at Hudson Yards, is set to reopen to the public on Monday, more than three years after its closure in August 2021 following four tragic deaths by suicide.

The 16-story structure, designed by Thomas Heatherwick, has been retrofitted with new safety features, allowing it to once again welcome visitors to its intricate maze of stairways and platforms.

Hudson Yards developer Related Companies, in collaboration with Heatherwick, took over two years to implement a redesign that preserves the Vessel’s striking architectural form and sweeping views while enhancing visitor safety. The revamped structure now includes floor-to-ceiling steel mesh screens on every floor above the second.

The top floor remains closed for now, where a lack of a ceiling prevented their installation.

The hexagonal-patterned mesh is designed to be almost imperceptible from a distance, ensuring that it does not obstruct the panoramic views that made the Vessel famous. Visitors will notice the mesh when they are on the structure, but it blends into the background, preserving the experience of exploring the towering, copper-hued landmark.

During a recent tour led by Hudson Yards Chief Operating Officer Andrew Rosen, it was revealed that the Vessel’s stairways and platforms remain as engaging as before. However, not all of the structure’s 80 landings and 154 flights of stairs are fully accessible. The uptown-facing side above the second level will be closed to visitors temporarily, though the most popular views, particularly those to the south, remain open.

The first and second floors of the Vessel will be completely accessible without the mesh barriers, allowing for an unobstructed experience of the space.

“The Vessel was always designed to be entered and explored,” said Related Companies CEO Jeff T. Blau in a statement. “There is overwhelming demand from the public to do just that. Not a day goes by that we don’t have visitors asking when it will reopen.”

The Vessel first opened in March 2019. The $200 million project certainly captured the imagination of locals and tourists alike as it became one of the most photographed landmarks in the world.

Its future remained uncertain until reports earlier this year indicated that the Vessel would reopen by the end of 2024. Now, with safety measures in place, the public will once again have the chance to experience the architectural marvel at Hudson Yards.

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