In October 2024, "The Vessel" at Hudson Yards in New York City reopened to the public after being closed for nearly three years due to multiple suicides. Originally designed by Heatherwick Studio and opened in 2019, the 150-foot monumental staircase was closed in January 2021 after four individuals, all under the age of 25, tragically took their own lives within an 18-month span. This photo series by Paul Clemence captures "The Vessel" as it reopens, offering a fresh look at its design and renewed role in the city.
The reopening comes with significant safety upgrades, including the installation of floor-to-ceiling steel mesh barriers on various sections of the structure. While the top level remains permanently closed, the mesh barriers now enclose balconies from the second floor upward, preventing further tragedies while preserving the experience of the public landmark.
"The Vessel," which features approximately 2,500 steps and 80 landings, was intended to be an interactive public landmark and is the centerpiece of the Hudson Yards development on Manhattan's West Side. Built as part of New York's largest private real estate venture, the structure was meant to invite visitors to explore and enjoy the views of the Hudson River and the city. In fact, the project is New York's largest development to date and the largest private real estate venture in American history, covering almost 14 acres of land with residential towers, offices, plazas, shopping centers, and restaurants designed by world-renowned firms such as BIG, SOM, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Rockwell Group, and many others.
Related Article
Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is on Track to Reopen in 2024
Tragically, the site has witnessed four individuals commit suicide since its opening in 2019, all under the age of 25 and in an eighteen-month time span. The structure was temporarily closed amid consultations with suicide-prevention experts and psychiatrists about how to operate it while preventing potential suicides. The newly installed steel mesh is part of a coordinated effort between Heatherwick Studio and Hudson Yards to ensure that visitors can safely enjoy the monument.
In his latest TED Talk, Thomas Heatherwick, founder of Heatherwick Studios, explores conditions affecting areas of the city defined by monotonous buildings, or what he calls an "epidemic of boringness." In fact, the Vessel was initially inspired by an endless staircase, inviting visitors to interact and exercise by enjoying the public landmark. In other similar news, the studio was recently selected to design a new educational facility for a university in Bogotá, Colombia, marking its debut in South America. Additionally, Heatherwick Studio's new district in the heart of Tokyo has recently been opened to the public by the Prime Minister of Japan.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on April 18, 2024, and updated on October 23, 2024.
