Name: Vessel
Address: 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
Telephone: (332) 204-8500
Rating: 4.6

Central Park

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Times Square

Rockefeller Center

Statue of Liberty

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Vessel is comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs.

Stair Count

Visitors can climb nearly 2,500 individual steps within the structure.

Step Number

The design of the Vessel is said to be inspired by the geometric patterns of a honeycomb.

Shape Inspiration

The Vessel is the centerpiece of the Hudson Yards Public Square, a large open space for gatherings and events.

Centerpiece

The Vessel was designed by the renowned British designer Thomas Heatherwick and his studio.

Designer

Vessel

Vessel, situated in Hudson Yards, is a 150-foot-tall structure comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs, totaling nearly 2,500 steps. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, its distinctive honeycomb-like appearance is constructed from bronzed steel, intended to evoke the image of an M.C. Escher drawing brought to life. The structure offers visitors a unique vertical climbing experience, providing varying perspectives of the surrounding cityscape as they ascend. Interestingly, the initial design included a central elevator, but it was later modified to prioritize the stair-climbing experience. While initially conceived as a fully accessible public art piece, access restrictions have been implemented due to safety concerns. Its modular construction allowed for significant prefabrication off-site, streamlining the on-site assembly process. The name "Vessel" was initially a placeholder, and a permanent name was intended to be chosen later, yet the temporary title has persisted.

Introduction

Vessel, a 150-foot-tall structure in New York's Hudson Yards, has faced considerable public art controversy since its inception. While some critics lauded it as Manhattan's answer to the Eiffel Tower, others panned its "gaudy" exterior and questioned its purpose, labeling it a "stairway to nowhere." Comparisons to a "giant shawarma" and a "giant rubbish bin" reflected its divisive reception. The structure's design process aimed to create a landmark, yet its realization sparked debate about its aesthetic value and contribution to public space.

Accessibility issues further fueled controversy. Initially largely inaccessible to wheelchair users, the design prompted protests from disability-rights groups. The United States Department of Justice filed a complaint, citing non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act due to the numerous separate landings. Although an agreement was reached to improve accessibility, the initial design drew criticism for neglecting inclusivity.

Beyond aesthetics and accessibility, Vessel faced scrutiny following multiple suicides, leading to closures and discussions about safety measures. The lack of initial preventative measures and subsequent debates over implementing barriers highlighted concerns about the structure's impact on public safety and mental health. The initial photo policy, which granted Hudson Yards ownership of images taken of Vessel, also drew criticism for potentially exploiting public engagement for commercial gain.

Public Art Controversy

The Vessel, a 150-foot-tall structure at Hudson Yards in Manhattan, has implemented suicide prevention measures following multiple deaths by suicide since its opening. After a temporary closure in January 2021, prompted by the third suicide in 15 months, the Vessel reopened with increased safety protocols. These included increased security personnel, a buddy system requiring visitors to explore in pairs or groups, and the prominent display of mental health resources signage.

Hudson Yards tripled its security staff and installed National Suicide Prevention Lifeline signage, partnering with the Born This Way Foundation to promote messages of support and kindness on tickets and at the entrance. Tickets, previously free, were priced at $10, with proceeds directed towards covering the costs of these safety enhancements and staff training.

Later, after a fourth suicide, the Vessel closed again and developers installed a floor-to-ceiling steel mesh to enclose the structure's exposed sections. This measure aimed to prevent future incidents while preserving the visitor experience. The mesh covers the front-facing pods beginning on the third floor. Security officers now check bags for sharp objects that could damage the mesh. While some community members and experts advocated for raising the height of the barriers, the developers chose the steel mesh and buddy system as primary interventions. Despite these efforts, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness of the measures, with some arguing that the structure itself may be triggering to individuals contemplating suicide.

Suicide Prevention Measures

The design of Vessel was inspired by Thomas Heatherwick's childhood fascination with an old, discarded flight of wooden stairs found outside a construction site. This early experience sparked the idea of creating a climbable structure that offered a mesmerizing visual effect through repeating steps and landings. The design also draws inspiration from the Indian stepwells of Rajasthan, which feature numerous stone staircases descending into the ground. Heatherwick Studio sought to create a social landmark that visitors could interact with, rather than just observe.

The structure's unusual shape, widening from 50 feet at its base to 150 feet at the apex, was intended to make it stand out. The copper-clad steel steps, arranged in a jungle-gym-like fashion, invite exploration and offer new perspectives of the city and the Hudson River from different heights and angles. The complex architectural framework of raw welded and painted steel contrasts with the polished copper-colored steel underside, reflecting the surrounding cityscape. This combination of materials and forms creates a visually striking centerpiece for the Hudson Yards Public Square.

Design Inspiration

Accessibility Debate

Vessel, designed by Thomas Heatherwick, serves as a public centerpiece for Hudson Yards, a development constructed above a rail yard on Manhattan’s west side. Heatherwick Studio aimed to create a memorable and interactive structure, moving beyond mere aesthetics to produce a social landmark that visitors could climb and explore. The design was influenced by the stepwells of Rajasthan, India, which feature numerous stone staircases.

Comprising 2,500 steps, 154 flights, and 80 landings across 16 stories, Vessel is intended as a climbing frame, lifting people above the square to reveal views of the Hudson River and Manhattan. Fabricated in Venice, Italy, by Cimolai, the structure's architectural framework features raw welded and painted steel, contrasting with a polished copper-colored steel underside that reflects the city. Stephen Ross, CEO of Related Companies, envisioned Vessel's shape as a distinctive landmark. Heatherwick intended visitors to interact with the structure like a jungle gym.

Critical reception of Vessel has been mixed. Some have lauded it as Manhattan's answer to the Eiffel Tower, while others have criticized its exterior as gaudy. Its initial inaccessibility for wheelchair users also drew criticism, though subsequent modifications were made to improve accessibility. The design process sought to create a landmarker that would give character to the space.

Vessel

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Stair Count

Step Number

Shape Inspiration

Centerpiece

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