The 'Vessel' in Manhattan, New York, a popular tourist attraction that was ultimately closed due to a series of suicide jumps, will reopen later this year with new safety measures in place.
According to the New York Post on the 14th (local time), Related Companies, the operator of Vessel responsible for the Hudson Yards development project, confirmed plans to install steel nets from floor to ceiling on several staircases of the Vessel. They expressed hope to welcome visitors to the Vessel by the end of this year.
Designed in a honeycomb shape and standing 45 meters tall, the Vessel opened in March 2019 and quickly earned the nickname "New York's Eiffel Tower," emerging as a new tourist attraction. It became a hot topic not only because visitors could enjoy panoramic views of the New York cityscape and the Hudson River but also because it was the work of world-renowned British architect Thomas Heatherwick, with about $200 million invested.
However, since the structure consists of staircases without exterior materials like glass and has low railings about waist height, it became a subject of controversy as people repeatedly jumped to their deaths there. As visitors continued to make extreme choices, the Vessel was temporarily closed after only a year and a half. Subsequently, the number of safety personnel was significantly increased and various regulations were introduced, leading to a decision to reopen after four months. But after a shocking incident in July 2021, when a 14-year-old boy jumped to his death in front of his family, the Vessel was closed indefinitely. Since its opening in March 2019 until its closure in August 2021, there were four suicide jumpers.
On this day, the operator did not disclose the exact reopening date of the Vessel. The two lower floors will be fully open, but access to other areas will be partial and only possible where safety devices are installed. Additionally, the operator confirmed that the topmost floor of the Vessel will remain closed as it is difficult to add safety measures there.
The ticket price after reopening has not been finalized. The previous admission fee was $10. The New York Post, which first reported the reopening news, stated that "the steel nets are designed to withstand all damage, including severe weather and forced cutting attempts," emphasizing the need to find ways to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The New York Times (NYT) reported last weekend that black nets had been installed on the third floor of the Vessel, sharing local voices that these safety measures should have been in place from the beginning.
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