Kevin Hernandez was in New York this week ahead of a flight back to Mexico and a destination topped his must-do list: Return to the Vessel art installation, the centerpiece of Hudson Yards on Manhattan's far west side, the largest U.S. private development.
Since he first saw the bronze-colored, honeycomb-shaped structure last year and took pictures, Hernandez has wanted to explore the inside via its interconnected staircases. But he couldn’t until now.
That's because Hudson Yards developer Related Companies was said to have closed the massive sculpture to the public early in 2021 after three suicides that occurred there. It reopened briefly but closed again after a fourth death, according to media reports. Now, after reopening again Monday, many areas are outfitted with steel mesh and blocked off to visitors. Security staff can be seen stationed throughout the 150-foot-tall open-air structure. Even with the safety precautions, Hernandez was impressed with the structure.
“I can cross this from my bucket list of New York City,” Hernandez said in an interview from inside the Vessel. “It’s really cool. The shape is different from all the other buildings.”
A steady stream of visitors made their way through a security checkpoint and climbing the network of zig-zagging staircases and platforms overlooking the Hudson River, High Line elevated park, and Western Rail Yards.
“Vessel is an iconic New York City experience that was always designed to be entered and explored — there is overwhelming demand from the public to do that,” Related Chief Executive Jeff Blau said in an emailed statement to CoStar News. “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 — 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.”
About half of the Vessel’s space has reopened, a Related spokesperson told CoStar News. A full 360-degree path on the two lowest levels has reopened while on the upper levels, only portions that have been outfitted with floor-to-ceiling steel mesh are now available to the public, Related said, adding the top level will remain closed because it’s not possible to install the floor-to-ceiling mesh there. The steel mesh was designed to withstand the outdoor elements while not compromising Vessel’s iconic form and views, Related said.
Because of the areas that were still closed, visitors described navigation as confusing at times and akin to walking through a maze.
Still, Hernandez found the $10 visit totally “worth it.” The attraction is free to New York residents on Thursdays.
Sam Mintz was in town from New Jersey with his wife and also decided to check out Vessel, without knowing the steel mesh netting is a newly installed feature.
“I just thought it was always here like this,” he said, adding they still enjoyed the view and the experience.
Related may consider opening more areas of the installation if it can secure more safety precautions, the spokesperson said.
Created by British designer and architect Thomas Heatherwick and his Heatherwick Studio, the Vessel had attracted over 2 million visitors each year starting in 2019 before closing, according to its website, adding the installation is one of New York’s most photographed places.
Heatherwick also is the designer behind another nearby attraction, Little Island, the $260 million public park and art space rising from the Hudson River.