It's been called many names and has been an easy target for endless jokes and memes. Yet beyond its position as both spectacle and superfluous structure, the infamous Vessel of Hudson Yards may be facing closure for good.
It's disheartening to know that this is another Vessel-related loss that our editorial team has covered. On May 27, Archinect reported the reopening after its closure in January 2021 due to three suicides at the site, happening all within 15 months. In its attempts to prevent future losses, the reopening's intended focus on suicide prevention was accompanied by a new set of safety measures. However, despite the added staffing, security, buddy system for entry, and signage providing reminders and resources regarding mental health, it appears those new protocols were not enough.
Even before its public opening in March 2019, the construction of the privately-owned public sculpture has provoked ongoing intrigue and criticism. While it certainly did its job as the site's calling card for visitors to flock to and take photos, the 150-foot sculpture designed by Thomas Heatherwick soon became an unsightly place after the reporting of multiple suicides. However, on July 29, another tragedy took place. According to Jake Offenhartz of the Gothamist: "The Vessel in Hudson Yards may close permanently after a 14-year-old jumped from the 150-foot structure on Thursday afternoon, the fourth suicide in just two years."
Headlines regarding the tragic death of the young teen have flooded media outlets. Yet, rather than focusing on the teen, attention should be directed to the developers and their decision to initiate further preventative action after four repeated suicide incidents. As families mourn and the public is yet again left with an unsavory reminder of the deaths at The Vessel, many would be quick to ask: "Who is to blame?"
...despite the added staffing, security, buddy system for entry, and signage providing reminders and resources regarding mental health, it appears those new protocols were not enough.
In a recent interview, Stephen Ross, the billionaire chairman of Related Companies, 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." Despite his condolences and the company's increased safety measures, however, leaders from the community and public health experts say otherwise. Apparently, recommendations to raise the height barriers lining the interior walkways of the structure weren't taken by the company before its reopening in May.
According to Lowell Kern, the chair of Manhattan Community Board 4: "This was totally foreseeable and totally preventable," he tells the Gothamist. "We've met with suicide prevention experts, they've told us this is the best way. Unfortunately, Related followed their own path and now we have a fourth tragedy."
Additional coverage from July 29's reporting in the New York Times includes a comment of an employee from Heatherwick Studio who expressed their own frustrations on the matter. The employee shared with the Times their irritation at the pushback and failure for the developers to take heed. "We designed safety barriers for the Vessel a while back. It's now time to install these." Despite reports of the privately owned real estate company having met with suicide-prevention experts, public health experts, local government officials, and security experts for consultation, there were still failures in these preventative measures.
The suggested height increase of seven or eight feet would have been a strong preventative solution according to Kern. If developers were "concerned about obstructing the view of visitors" Kern explained to the New York Times that the height adjustment wouldn't have been an issue and that when it comes to saving people's lives and taking preventative action, "the architect's vision, art, and architecture must take a backseat."
when mitigating potential disasters and safety infringements, how long does it take for developers to listen? In this case, it took four lives, all under the age of 25...
The entire area around the Vessel currently remains closed since Thursday's incident. As media outlets stay at the ready for any breaking developments, the issues at hand are very straightforward. Raising the heights of safety railings/barriers has been a proven and effective way to help stop and reduce suicide attempts. Research articles correlating the relationship between effective suicide prevention and height barriers provide many resources indicating its importance. However, when mitigating potential disasters and safety infringements, how long does it take for developers to listen? In this case, it took four lives, all under the age of 25, for the real estate company to "further investigate" and take additional steps to stop future cases from happening again.
Discussions of suicide and suicide prevention should not be taken lightly. As a major public health concern, the National Institute of Mental Health shares: "Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives." The gap between humanity and architecture may be farther along than we perceive it to be when faced with tragedies like this.
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*If you or anyone you know is in crisis or exhibiting the warning signs of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on Lifeline’s website or Crisis Text Line’s website.
Katherine is an LA-based writer and editor. She was Archinect's former Editorial Manager and Advertising Manager from 2018 – January 2024. During her time at Archinect, she's conducted and written 100+ interviews and specialty features with architects, designers, academics, and industry ...
61 Comments
Honestly, if they moved this down to Wall St, it might find the right home, for the right people.
Following that logic, maybe DC would be better?
Sure, we could do a traveling exhibit.
All it needs are some hanging vines and a few pushcarts
Closing the vessel will unfortunately not do anything, it will only change the location and perhaps method of suicide for some...
should we make a suicide drome somewhere and charge admission? that's the same logic used by gun nuts.
Let us assume that is correct, why are people doing it here, when they can do it anywhere?
Why not, at least they can enjoy the view on the way down.
That's a lame and lazy response to a serious topic that you initiated.
People don’t kill themselves because they are suddenly and by surprise on a tall structure, they go to a tall structure to kill themselves...
one less location available, with the plus side of not seeing that horrible thoracic cavity anymore.
Well, with the dearth of tall structures in America, I guess it's just coincidence that these people found one in a metropolis.
@JLC-1
Assisted suicide is generally more acceptable to liberals than conservatives. Contrast to your gun nut comment.
Maybe the developers should install a bullseye on the sidewalk below with a body container under splat level? It seems to me this could discourage suicides.
Typical response to mental health - just make higher railings! To say a suicide would be prevented if this were never built is really shortsighted.
Who is saying that?
130 US suicides per day every day...
I respectfully disagree. Form and space have the ability to communicate on an emotional and psychological level. This can have positive or negative consequences in terms of behavior. All of this is moot. Even if you don't agree with this the fact remains that 4 people have jumped off this building. That is reason enough to close this building and tear it down.
@ b3 first paragraph "...may be facing closure for good."
What if it can be statistically proven that this year the US had 125 suicides if it was never built?
I never not would I say that suicides across the country were related to this building. Imo there are 4 that are.
Those 130 I mentioned are per day...so that would be 365x130 per year, 47.450 suicides per year at least, and we are talking about 4 successful jumps from the vessel in 2 years, right?
My mistake. Per day. But, my hypothetical question still stands.
No. Statistically if this building did not exist AND those that killed themselves at this location didn't choose another location or means, then the rate would be 129.9945 per day.
If suicide attempts are cause to close a structure, then why stop with the Vessel? Add the Golden Gate and Brooklyn Bridges, the Empire State Building, Niagara Falls, ad infinitum. The issue is mental illness. Period.
I don't disagree with the essence of your argument, but you're comparing long-term / permanent infrastructure with a folly.
Eiffel Tower - suicides - folly
No, you don’t end people killing themselves by closing a building or a folly, you end people killing themselves at that particular place...that’s all.
Kevlo, what does that even mean?
The Tower of 300m (Eiffel Tower) was meant to be a temporary structure celebrating building technology - not "long-term/permanent infrastructure" (forget that you included Niagara Falls in there). Unfortunately the tower also become a site known for suicide attempts ever since it was built. There are all sorts of barriers on it. Do you take it down?
True. Eiffel was originally intended as temp structure and has managed to transcend to become a city's icon/landmark. I don't see that happening to a privately-owned developer-led marketing ploy. Nor is it celebration of technological or architectural marvel. Hence - benign folly. Anyways, this is besides the point and like I said, I don't disagree with ra8147 premise, just the comparison.
Talk of demoing it is good. The concept was neat enough but I never understood the why cause it's not very attractive. Also, it breaks the cardinal rule of never do up to go down or vice versa.
at least there haven't been any murders yet
First and foremost, I am saddened to hear of the four individuals who chose to end their lives. Had it not been at The Vessel, likely it would have been elsewhere. To suggest the building should be demolished because of the unfortunate events is inappropriate in my opinion. Throughout my architectural career, many buildings and structures have been met with criticism for a wide variety of reasons. That is to be understood. Like any art form, it is difficult to please all of the people all of the time. In the matter of taste, there can be no debate.
I suggest the original stated design that included barriers be fully implemented to allow The Vessel to be experienced and enjoyed by those who would use the structure and prevent further potential loss of life.
This is PRIVATELY OWNED Why is no one suing the owner? Even if this was publically owned the gov't would be sueable. This was a disaster waiting to happen and it did, 4 times, 3 times utterly unnecessarily. I hate lawsuits but it is how enforcement of societal norms work in the US. The Gov't prefers not to be involved if the threat of lawsuit is enough to restrain anti social behavior.
What anti social behavior. Billionaires reopening again and again their own private amusement park, where they get off on 'the people' killing themselves, for their amusement. Harsh? You explain it to me then. What other plus comes from the suicides? PR for Hudson Yards - any PR is good PR is an old phrase but you have to be about to go broke to go for PR from suicides to bail you out. What else is left? What other possible reason for Related, ie Billionaire Developers, for not closing a Suicide Park?
PS Without barrier free experience substantially same as any fully mobile person, this NEVER should have passed approval at DOB. I fear the NYC DOB is now no more than a developers rubber stamp and soon NYC will see Florida level building failures. Imagine a 40 story block sized 'Surfside'. Coming soon if approval of this is any indication. and YES when art becomes the built environment, it must be built for ALL.
Because you sign a disclaimer before entering ....
Why should an owner be sued because someone decided to take a very personal action? What's next, suing because your significant other broke up with you there? Any architect cheering on lawsuits is in for a rude awakening as some point in their career.
The guardrail barriers met minimum code standards. As sad as the situation is you cannot sue for everything. If the barrier broke or fell and a person fell to their death, there would be litigation to be had , but the kids climbed over the barrier themselves. People jump in front of cars, trains to commit suicide, you cannot sue everyone. People need to be personably responsible for their own actions. I believe this can reopen with changes such as no one can go up alone. Must go up in a group like a group guided tour. Install safety netting at the bottom.
Can’t sue yourself out of a suicide epidemic and (mental) health crisis...
Our resident legal expert will no doubt chine in here shortly.
Structures do NOT cause suicide. At what point are people responsible for their own actions?
Well, this one murders a lot, daily.
How so?
The suicide rate, like the Vessel and the entire Hudson Yards project, is the product of a sick culture.
I grew up with duck and cover, now students are exercised in active shooter driils.
Things haven't gotten better, they've gotten worse.
Silly me, I bought into "hope and change". The hope is long gone, but I've still got enough change for coffee tomorrow. Something to look forward to!
In Palo Alto, CA, there was a time between 2009-2010, in 9 months 6 students committed suicide and later there would be more from Palo Alto who would jump in front of moving trains. Super sad. No one wants to see a young life lost. More kids need mental health intervention. Schools should require quarterly counselor check ins with students. The train system did not get dismantled in the Bay Area and neither should the Vessel. It really is an architectural masterpiece. It is an interactive sculpture. They should install netting at the 1st floor level like the circus acrobats land on. They should also require no guests are allow alone under the age of 25. Must go up in pairs or with a group. Please reopen.
QTpie, What makes you say it is a masterpiece? I’m asking seriously. I was underwhelmed by it from the very first rendering, and seeing it built it’s even worse. And that’s even before any suicides happened. It’s really a piece of trash, in my opinion. The copper on it could be put in much better use IMO.
The trains in Palo Alto or the Golden Gate Bridge have a beneficial societal function. Art that lends itself to death does not. The structure is forever stained. Tear it down.
Art is in the eye of the beholder. You might feel like it is trash, but I don't. When I see it, it looks like a honeycomb or a beehive. It looks neat to me. You may not like it but that is fine. People kill themselves various ways with a gun, rope, pills, etc. They are making the personal choice. Do you want to see Yosemite with fencing everywhere because people can jump off or fall over the cliffs? Every problem cannot be fixed.
"Every problem cannot be fixed." This one can.
QTpie, it’s not art, but it is fine that you think it’s pretty. But when I look at it what I see is much more akin to what Kate Wagner describes:
“It is a Vessel for the depths of architectural cynicism, of form without ideology and without substance: an architectural practice that puts the commodifiable image above all else, including the social good, aesthetic expression, and meaningful public space. It is a Vessel for the architecture of views, perhaps the hottest spatial commodity of all.
It is a Vessel for capital, for a real estate grift that can charge more for an already multi-million dollar apartment because it merely faces it. It is a Vessel for a so-called neighborhood that poorly masks its intention to build luxury assets for the criminally wealthy under the guise of investing in the city and “public space.” ”
https://thebaffler.com/latest/fuck-the-vessel-wagner
And on top of all that, it’s just boring. There’s nothing interesting about it as something to look at.
Wagner is amazing. Not just brilliant metaphors but concise deconstruction everything from economics to aesthetics ...
"the Vessel is a vessel of its time, and its sheer shittiness as architecture and urbanism, itself a small part of the bigger tyranny of capitalism"
Please, please, won't someone protect me from myself???? I am not without sympathy for those that choose a permanent solution to what is, more often than not, a temporary problem. However, placing the blame on anyone other than the individual making the choice is ridiculous and indicative of a society that no longer accepts they are responsible for their own choice..
Please, please, tell us your stance 3 more times because we didn't get it the first 3 times.
I'm guessing that you're more of a Cain guy then?
I feel like I can't go on anymore.
Here is a cynide tablet.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Well Babbs, some apparently do not get it.
Good news everyone!
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