Hudson Yards’ Vessel Set To Reopen

The Thomas Heatherwick-designed Vessel in Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s far West Side is set to reopen “at some point this year” after closing indefinity in 2021 in the wake of four people flinging themselves from the 150-ft-tall structure to their deaths, Hyperallergic is among outlets to report. The move was announced by Related Cos., owner of the honeycomb-shaped, US$260-million tourist attraction, on April 12. The source said Related told the New York Times that new safety measures will include floor-to-ceiling steel mesh covering approximately half of Vessel’s accessible area, as well as barriers on four stairwells and adjacent landings. The top of Vessel will remain closed, while the first two levels will be open. Vessel opened in 2019, and has been criticized for, among other things, questionable funding sources and alleged lack of safety features. Unrelated to any issues, its elevator — designed by Liberty Elevator with Cimolai of Italy — was an ELEVATOR WORLD 2020 Project of the Year winner.