About This Resource
The Vessel is a large public art structure designed by Thomas Heatherwick as the centerpiece of Hudson Yards in Manhattan. The 16-story honeycomb-like structure consists of 154 interconnected flights of stairs, 2,500 individual steps, and 80 landings, creating a climbable sculpture offering views of the city and Hudson River. Opened in 2019, it quickly became a popular tourist attraction. However, the structure has been controversial and closed multiple times due to safety concerns following several tragic incidents. The Vessel represents ambitious thinking about interactive public art and vertical architecture, though its future remains uncertain. When open, it demonstrated how stairs themselves can be the primary architectural feature.
