The Vessel, a New York sculpture designed by Thomas Heatherwick, has reopened with new safety features, including guards and mesh barriers, after closing in 2021 due to a series of suicides.
The Vessel was designed as the centrepiece of the Hudson Yards development on Manhattan’s West Side. The honeycomb-structured, 46-meter-tall sculpture was a popular sight amongst tourists between 2019 and 2021, allowing them to see the city from another perspective.
“I think the thing that’s particularly special about New York is the mix. At Hudson Yards we wanted to create this completely unexpected way to bring people together”, designer Thomas Heatherwick said about the sculpture.
However, after four people took their own lives at the site, despite security upgrades and a rule stating that ‘no one could visit the structure alone’, it was finally closed down in 2021.
“Not a day goes by that we don’t have visitors walking up to our staff asking where they can buy tickets and when it will reopen,” CEO Jeff T. Blau from Related Companies, which owns Hudson Yards, said in a statement, “that interest hasn’t diminished during the time we’ve been closed and we’re excited to welcome guests from all around the world back to Vessel with additional safety measures in place.”
After three years of work, the Vessel reopened on October 12th. Several safety measures have been taken to prevent any deaths in the future. A floor-to-ceiling steel mesh netting has been installed on the upper levels, which will only be accessible after buying a ticket. The lower levels, which haven’t been equipped with netting, will remain closed to the public.
“While we think it took Related four lives too many to make these physical adjustments, these are the changes we requested, which will allow for prioritising the safety of everyone who visits the Vessel,” Jessica Chait, the chair of the Manhattan community board, said in a reaction.
Tickets for the Vessel can be bought online – general admission costs $10, while NYC residents can get free access on Thursdays.
