The Vessel at Hudson Yards Reopens After Three-Year Closure Following Tragic Suicide Jumps

The Vessel at Hudson Yards Reopens After Three-Year Closure Following Tragic Suicide Jumps

Edited by: TJVNews.com

After more than three years of closure, the Vessel at Hudson Yards is set to reopen to the public on Monday, once again welcoming visitors to its striking, honeycomb-like structure. This iconic 16-story sculpture, a favorite for tourists and New Yorkers alike, was temporarily closed in August 2021 following a series of tragic suicides. Now, thanks to careful redesign efforts, the Vessel is reopening with enhanced safety measures in place, offering the same breathtaking views and architectural grandeur while ensuring visitor well-being. As reported by The New York Post, the changes are subtle but effective, preserving the original vision of the structure’s designer, Thomas Heatherwick, while addressing the safety concerns that led to its closure.

A long-awaited return for a New York City attraction: the Vessel at Hudson Yards reopens TODAY after more than three years. pic.twitter.com/gOiPI7Sl4N

— NewYorkCityKopp (@newyorkcitykopp) October 21, 2024

The Vessel’s return has been highly anticipated, and Hudson Yards developer Related Companies took their time to ensure the structure would be both safe and enjoyable for all. According to The New York Post, over two years were spent carefully crafting new safety measures that would prevent further tragedies without compromising the integrity of the structure’s design. Protective steel mesh screens now encase each floor above the second, except for the very top, where the lack of a ceiling made such installations impossible. The top floor will remain closed to visitors as a result. These screens, designed in a delicate hexagonal pattern, are nearly invisible from less than 100 feet away, allowing visitors to enjoy unobstructed views while ensuring safety.

Hudson Yards chief operating officer Andrew Rosen led a recent tour of the revamped Vessel, which The New York Post described as being just as exhilarating as before. The structure’s maze of interconnected stairways and platforms, which give visitors a chance to experience the city from multiple vantage points, remains intact. However, not all parts of the Vessel will be open to the public. Some areas, particularly on the uptown-facing side above the second level, will be closed off for the time being. Despite these restrictions, the best views, particularly those facing south, are still fully accessible and provide visitors with sweeping panoramas of the surrounding cityscape.

The Vessel at @_HudsonYardsNYC reopened this morning with new safety netting after 4 people took their lives there three years ago. @1010WINS #thevesselnyc pic.twitter.com/7rEFygoWCt

— Marla Diamond (@MDiamond8) October 21, 2024

The first and second floors of the Vessel remain entirely open and free from any mesh barriers, allowing visitors to explore the lower levels without any obstructions. The redesign strikes a delicate balance between safety and aesthetics, ensuring that the structure’s futuristic, copper-tinted design is preserved while providing much-needed protection for those who visit.

For New York, the reopening of the Vessel marks a significant moment, breathing life back into one of Hudson Yards’ most popular attractions. As The New York Post points out, the return of the Vessel is an important step in restoring the vibrancy of the Hudson Yards area, which has become a major hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment in recent years. While the structure’s reopening is marked by somber memories of past tragedies, the new design underscores a commitment to safety and the well-being of visitors.

With these enhancements, the Vessel can once again become a “hive of activity,” as it was described during its initial opening. Visitors will be able to climb its 154 flights of stairs, spread across 80 landings, and take in the stunning views of the Hudson River and beyond. Although some sections remain closed for now, the experience of walking through this architectural wonder is as captivating as ever.

Jeff T. Blau, CEO of Related Companies, which developed Hudson Yards, confirmed in a statement that the Vessel “was always designed to be entered and explored,” adding, “There is overwhelming demand from the public to do that. Not a day goes by that we don’t have visitors asking where they can buy tickets and when it will reopen.”

The Vessel first opened in March 2019, conceived as an architectural centerpiece that would rival some of the world’s most iconic landmarks. The New York Post recalls that Stephen M. Ross, the former chairman and CEO of Related Companies, even predicted back in 2016 that Hudson Yards would soon have a structure to rival the Eiffel Tower in Paris. While that comparison might have been ambitious, there’s no denying the Vessel’s immediate popularity. Within months of opening, the $200 million structure became one of the world’s most photographed and Instagrammed destinations, drawing both locals and tourists to explore its maze of interconnected staircases and platforms.

However, the Vessel’s future became uncertain after it was closed in 2021 due to safety concerns. It wasn’t until The New York Post broke the news in April 2024 that the Vessel would reopen by the end of the year, rekindling excitement for the towering sculpture. Now, after extensive safety modifications, the structure is ready to welcome visitors once again, with ticket sales resuming at $10—the same price as before its closure. For residents of New York City, there’s even better news: they can gain free admission on Thursdays by showing proof of residency, a gesture that aligns with the city’s effort to make cultural landmarks accessible to its own residents.

The Vessel’s reopening is expected to rejuvenate its role as a focal point of Hudson Yards, a neighborhood that has quickly become synonymous with luxury retail, dining, and urban innovation. Visitors can once again experience its 154 flights of stairs and 80 landings, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding cityscape. Despite past tragedies, the demand for access has remained strong, with people constantly inquiring about the reopening, as Blau noted in his statement.