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The Vessel Reopens in N.Y.C. with New Safety Measures Following Multiple Suicides
Posted on 10/22/2024
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The Vessel has officially reopened in New York after multiple suicides forced its closure for several years.
The massive, 150-foot structure located in Hudson Yards, quickly became a tourist destination for not only its unique design, but its sweeping views of the city and the Hudson River. However, a fourth death by suicide in July 2021 caused officials to close its doors after its 2019 opening.
On Sunday, Oct. 20, Related Companies, the owner of Hudson Yards, shared news of the reopening.
“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,” Related CEO Jeff T. Blau said in a prepared statement, per the Associated Press.
“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,” Blau continued.
New safety measures set in place include the installation of floor-to-ceiling steel mesh barriers, with the top level of the Thomas Heatherwick design remaining closed.
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Before the shutdown, a Related Companies spokesperson told the New York Post that the company hired additional security personnel who were trained in handling people who posed a risk of jumping.
After the fourth victim — a 14-year-old boy — jumped from the structure and was pronounced dead at the scene, Kimberly Winston, a spokesperson for Hudson Yards, told The Daily Beast: "We thought we did everything that would really prevent this. It's hard to really fathom how something like that could happen. But you know, I feel terrible for the family.”
The firm had also previously consulted with suicide-prevention experts.
On Friday, Oct. 18, ahead of the attraction’s reopening, NBC New York spoke with visitor Angelina Fiorini about the future of The Vessel.
“It’s not a good thing what happened, but I think that after what happened, it brought awareness of mental health that we needed,” she told the outlet.
“We are pleased to welcome guests from across New York and around the world to Vessel at Hudson Yards,” a statement on The Vessel’s official website reads.
General admission starts at $10, but is free for New York City residents every Thursday. The location is ADA accessible, and also has flex passes for $15. The latter option allows guests to book a day, but arrive at any time, as opposed to general admission where the date and time slot must be selected at the time of ticket purchase.
The massive, 150-foot structure located in Hudson Yards, quickly became a tourist destination for not only its unique design, but its sweeping views of the city and the Hudson River. However, a fourth death by suicide in July 2021 caused officials to close its doors after its 2019 opening.
On Sunday, Oct. 20, Related Companies, the owner of Hudson Yards, shared news of the reopening.
“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,” Related CEO Jeff T. Blau said in a prepared statement, per the Associated Press.
“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,” Blau continued.
New safety measures set in place include the installation of floor-to-ceiling steel mesh barriers, with the top level of the Thomas Heatherwick design remaining closed.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Before the shutdown, a Related Companies spokesperson told the New York Post that the company hired additional security personnel who were trained in handling people who posed a risk of jumping.
After the fourth victim — a 14-year-old boy — jumped from the structure and was pronounced dead at the scene, Kimberly Winston, a spokesperson for Hudson Yards, told The Daily Beast: "We thought we did everything that would really prevent this. It's hard to really fathom how something like that could happen. But you know, I feel terrible for the family.”
The firm had also previously consulted with suicide-prevention experts.
On Friday, Oct. 18, ahead of the attraction’s reopening, NBC New York spoke with visitor Angelina Fiorini about the future of The Vessel.
“It’s not a good thing what happened, but I think that after what happened, it brought awareness of mental health that we needed,” she told the outlet.
“We are pleased to welcome guests from across New York and around the world to Vessel at Hudson Yards,” a statement on The Vessel’s official website reads.
General admission starts at $10, but is free for New York City residents every Thursday. The location is ADA accessible, and also has flex passes for $15. The latter option allows guests to book a day, but arrive at any time, as opposed to general admission where the date and time slot must be selected at the time of ticket purchase.
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