Tourists Welcome Back NYC's Vessel Sculpture as It Reopens with Safety Netting

Tourists have returned to the Vessel, a beehive-shaped sculpture in Manhattan, after it reopened with new safety measures. The structure had been closed for three years following several suicides. On its reopening day, about 75 visitors purchased tickets and queued to explore the metallic honeycomb design. They quickly passed through security and began exploring the stairways and viewing platforms, with the highest point reaching approximately 45 metres.

Flexible netting has been installed to enhance safety, allowing visitors to take photos without risking their safety. "The pictures you can take from downstairs and upstairs, they are so beautiful," said Alexandre Paes, a software engineer from Rio de Janeiro. This isn't the first time the site has closed and reopened with new safety features. The climbable sculpture's zigzagging stairs drew crowds of tourists when it opened in 2019.

Safety Measures and Visitor Experience

The Vessel had previously closed after three individuals died by jumping from it. It reopened with security guards and a rule prohibiting solo visits. Despite these measures, another incident occurred in 2021, leading to another closure. Now, floor-to-ceiling mesh barriers cover all walkable sections, partially obstructing views and restricting access to higher levels.

Designed by Thomas Heatherwick and built in Venice, the Vessel's backers were surprised by the safety concerns. "We wanted people to come here and have fun," said Andy Rosen, COO of Related Companies, which owns Hudson Yards. On Monday, tourists enjoyed taking selfies and capturing the changing light reflecting off nearby skyscrapers through hexagonal openings.

Visitor Reactions and Accessibility Issues

"It's a little bit of turning the page," Rosen remarked, noting that even with limited views, visitors can still engage with the sculpture uniquely. "The netting is good, not only for safety but for people like myself that are afraid of heights," commented Daniel Palumbo from Pennsville Township, New Jersey.

The Vessel resembles a stretched basket rising from the ground, hollow at its centre with scalable staircases on lower levels in all directions. The reopened sections allow visitors to reach the highest level at a single point near the elevator exit, facing Hudson Yards' tallest skyscrapers.

Paes expressed mixed feelings about the views: "This view in particular I don't think it's the best one that we can take pictures of. I think if you could go over there and take one of the river, it would be nice." He mentioned seeing a more stunning view of the Hudson River from Little Island park nearby.

Operational Challenges on Reopening Day

The elevator was not operational on Monday morning, preventing some visitors from reaching the top level. This led to at least one person receiving a ticket refund. Andrea Niño de Guzmán from Milwaukee shared her experience: "I came two years ago and it was closed." She posed for photos with cousins visiting from Guadalajara, Mexico.

A third cousin from Sweden, using a wheelchair due to an injury, left after discovering the elevator outage. Operators refunded her $10 ticket. The Vessel is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm, offering free admission for New York City residents on Thursdays.