The Vessel has officially reopened to the public in Hudson Yards, Manhattan following the completion of safety modifications to the beleaguered attraction. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio and developed by Related Companies, the 15-story honeycomb of staircases stands 150 feet tall as the centerpiece of the first phase of Hudson Yards, and originally opened along with the complex in March 2019. However, access to the attraction was shuttered in July 2021 following a string of suicides from its elevated platforms. Earlier this year, work began on a safety system consisting of steel mesh netting stretched between the openings in the structure to prevent visitors from jumping or falling.
The general public is required to purchase tickets through the Vessel’s website, or by visiting in person at the base of the structure. Prices start at $10 and also include an option for ADA-accessible entry using the elevator. New York City residents are able to visit for free on Thursdays only, but a ticket is still required. Everyone must have their bags checked and belongings scanned through a metal detector before entering inside.
Access to the Vessel’s platforms has also been curtailed in an effort to simplify the task of overseeing security. While the entirety of the lowermost staircases is accessible, only the southeastern quarter of the upper levels is open to the public. The presence of security personnel also seems to have been increased throughout all areas of the attraction.
Photo by Michael Young
The following photos show the “cut-resistant” steel-mesh netting attached to double-curved frames. The hexagonal openings between the cables are large enough to allow camera lenses and phones to fit through for clear photos.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The images below show the highest section of the Vessel that the public can reach, at the landing of the elevator’s top level. The netting and metal framework now block off the topmost portion to create a fully enclosed platform.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Additional images below show detailed close-ups of the netting and metalwork that were installed onto the Vessel, which blends quite well with the curves and form of Heatherwick’s design.
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
Photo by Michael Young
The nearest subway from The Vessel is the 7 train at the 34th Street-Hudson Yards station. Strollers are prohibited and must be stowed at the base of the structure. Daily operating hours are from 10pm to 9pm with the last entry at 8pm.
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I’m jumping for joy XD
Haha…
An unfortunate reminder..covering it with mesh seems a rather clumsy bandaid, maybe it’s time to start from scratch..
Scrap it and sell the steel..
I always liked this structure—it recalls an Escher print. It is unfortunate that the despondent fixated on the Vessel. I understand the GW Bridge has a similar attraction. The attempt to provide more safety is clumsy, but it is a difficult object to alter.
It is a shame that this was required, but it is an acceptable solution. Why should the many be denied because of the actions of a very few?
Because it is the new, PC America
Insurance companies are so PC!
In the past PC was just good ole common courtesy and not being a cruel right-wing fascist.
..even one suicide would have been too much.
Liability insurance.
Still ugly as sin. Drop it into the Hudson along side the equally ugly “Little Island.” BTW same architect.
You sound fun
Maybe he just has better taste than you
Since when do you know anything about having taste Mayor Kenny? Your recent comments have been anything but tasteful👎
Yes !
hey Mayor….Are you always a D-bag?
Yes, he’s always been that petty and so much of a whiny childish heckler. I’ve never seen him say anything remotely positive on this site since I subscribed over 9 years ago
So glad I had the opportunity to experience the Vessel prior to it becoming a human chicken coop. I don’t understand why they couldn’t have just increased the height of the glass panels above the hand rails. Very unfortunate.
I was lucky enough to extensively photograph the structure the day it opened. I observed the danger of the open views and even mentioned it to others. I initially posted the images but took them down because of the rights grab issue caused by the real estate company. From day one there have been issues. Maybe this haunted structure should be torn down.
Can’t believe they have the audacity to charge to walk up this stairs-to-nowhere wastebasket
Well put..admission “starts at 10 dollars”? Starts?..what..the more stairs you climb, the more you have to pay?
Did you not read the article? It says there’s also a $15 ticket option for flexible arrival time. And if you’re an NYC resident, you dont pay on thursdays
It looks like the designer of this wanted nothing to do with fixing an obvious problem. It also looks like the fix is meant to be temporary and it will come down one day.
Denial is a very strong drug.
lol it aint ever coming down, its just cheap
On the positive, it’s beautifully made and was becoming a urban magnet like the Met or Main Library steps. From the inside, now has expressway overpass vibe. Just needs litter, graffiti and a few years of under-maintenance.
I always wonder about the virulent hatred that some people have for this structure. I can’t help but suspect that there’s a hidden agenda in all that, though I have no idea what it might be. I think it’s a wonderful, whimsical addition to the various viewing platforms around town. If you don’t like it, don’t look at it. It is a destination, you won’t be tripping over it on your normal walk around the city.
Exactly! Same goes for anyone who’s never been to New York and still manages to hold a palpable sense of hatred towards a place they haven’t visited before
Did good taste scare you as a child?
I’m sure good taste (and learning to grow up mature) scared YOU as a child Mayor Kenny. Hence, it’s the reason for your constantly incessant & distasteful need to pester and heckle anyone on Yimby that speaks with a reasonable level-headed mind. Your shitty attitude is getting as old as you.
So anyone who has a different opinion to yours about a piece of art must have a hidden agenda? To me it’s ugly, scary, and a waste of what could be great public space.
The one mildly interesting thing in the total dystopia that is Hudson Yards.
As it was when first opened — There’s no “there”, there. At best, you see the Hudson Yards buildings that line the courtyard/driveway. Looking west provides the only possibly interesting view — and that’s slated to be closed off. It just doesn’t measure up as a worthwhile attraction.
This is why we can’t have nice things 🙁
Just take it down and do something different. This one didn’t work out. Learn from the mistakes and do something different next time.
My thoughts as well…..not exactly a “Field of Dreams” more like a “Field of Screams.
Why would anyone pay to go on it? There are so many other more interesting things in NYC.
Freedom is restricted to keep everyone safe: Thanks.
I was told (though I haven’t verified this) that the “sculpture” itself is owned by Stephen Ross, and that he paid the “artist” over $200 million for it. It pains me to think of how many better ways that money could have been spent. Please, given the high failure rate, can we have less public “art” and more trees?
I am no design expert ( I let the wife pick out clothes because she is better at it), so when I saw this, I asked her opinion: She agrees with me.: UGLY. The only thing worse then looking at it, is spending money to walk up those stairs.
That structure is not safe. The city should remove it. All the weight of the structure is bearing down on 45 degree angles. Unless they dismantle all the facade covers each year and inspect the welds, how will ensure that this is still safe for the public? this is a ticking time bomb.