The Vessel, the honeycomb-shaped tower in Manhattan which closed in 2021 after a series of suicides, reopened Monday with added safety features.
The 150-foot attraction first opened in 2019 as the centerpiece of the Hudson Yards development on the West Side. It was a popular tourist destination, thanks to its zigzagging stairs and Hudson River views, but four suicides over 18 months forced its closure.
The Vessel remained indefinitely closed to the public while owners worked to address the significant safety concerns highlighted by the deaths, NBC New York reported. Among the measures: Four stairwells and their adjoining platforms have been fitted with steel mesh barriers designed to preserve the structure’s appearance and views.
Visitor Angelina Fiorini told NBC New York on Friday that the massive structure brought attention to the nation’s mental health crisis. “It’s not a good thing, what happened, but I think that after what happened, it brought awareness of mental health that we needed.”
The first two levels of the Vessel will remain fully open, while the higher levels will only reopen in sections where the barriers have been installed. The very top floor will continue to be off-limits to visitors. The safety-focused changes ultimately cover about half of the areas that were previously accessible to the public.
Tickets are available for purchase on the Vessel’s website. Admission is $10. New York City residents can get in for free on Thursdays with proof of residency.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
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