New York City has a weird relationship with its landmarks. We spent decades hating the Guggenheim’s "washing machine" look before deciding it was a masterpiece. We ignored the High Line until it became so crowded you can barely walk. But the Vessel at Hudson Yards? That’s a whole different level of complicated.
It’s this massive, honeycombed lattice of bronzed steel that looks like it landed from a sci-fi movie set. Thomas Heatherwick, the British designer behind it, wanted to create a public space that wasn't just a statue you looked at, but a place you actually inhabited. He succeeded, maybe too well. Since it opened in 2019, it’s been a lightning rod for architectural criticism, social media obsession, and, unfortunately, deep tragedy. If you’ve walked through the far west side of Manhattan recently, you’ve seen it sitting there—sometimes open, sometimes closed, always looming.
Why the Vessel at Hudson Yards is More Than Just a Big Staircase
People call it "The Hive" or "The Shawarma." Honestly, the Shawarma nickname is probably the most New York thing about it. It cost about $200 million to build, which is a staggering amount of money for what is essentially a series of interconnected stairs.
The structure consists of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs, 2,500 individual steps, and 80 landings. It’s heavy. We’re talking 600 tons of Italian-fabricated steel. The copper-colored finish isn't actually copper; it's a PVD-coated stainless steel designed to reflect the city around it. When the sun hits it at 4:00 PM in the winter, the glow is incredible. It’s a photographer’s dream and an urban planner’s nightmare.
The sheer scale is hard to grasp until you're standing at the base. It widens from a 50-foot base to a 150-foot top. It’s meant to be "participatory." Most monuments ask you to stand back and admire. The Vessel at Hudson Yards asks you to sweat. Or at least, it did.
The Design Philosophy (and the Backlash)
Heatherwick Studio took inspiration from Indian stepwells. Those are ancient, geometric structures designed to reach water tables, featuring hundreds of zig-zagging steps. It’s a beautiful concept. Translating that to a luxury real estate development in midtown Manhattan, however, felt a bit "off" to some critics.
🔗 Read more: City Map of Christchurch New Zealand: What Most People Get Wrong
The New York Times architecture critic Michael Kimmelman famously called it "a $200 million waste of space." Others loved the ambition. It represents the "Billionaire’s Row" era of NYC—shiny, expensive, and a little bit exclusive. But the real problem wasn't the aesthetic. It was the safety.
The Safety Crisis and the Long Road Back
We have to talk about the closures. It’s the elephant in the room. Between 2020 and 2021, the Vessel saw four tragic deaths by suicide. This forced Related Companies, the developer, to shut the whole thing down. Multiple times.
For a long while, the Vessel at Hudson Yards was a ghost ship. You could walk around the base, but the stairs were off-limits. They tried a "buddy system" rule where you couldn't enter alone. They tried charging a $10 fee to fund security. None of it felt like enough. The community and safety experts, including those from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, argued that the low glass barriers were the fundamental flaw.
The New Steel Mesh Solution
As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the Vessel has finally undergone a massive safety retrofit. They didn't just put up "Do Not Cross" tape. They installed floor-to-ceiling steel mesh netting on several levels.
Does it ruin the view? Kinda.
Does it save lives? Absolutely.
💡 You might also like: Ilum Experience Home: What Most People Get Wrong About Staying in Palermo Hollywood
The mesh is designed to be "cut-proof" and is tensioned so it doesn't wobble in the wind. It’s a compromise. You can still get those geometric, Escher-like photos, but you’re looking through a screen now. It’s the price of keeping the landmark functional in a city that’s still figuring out how to balance public art with public safety.
What You Actually Need to Know Before Visiting
If you’re planning to head over there, don’t just show up and expect to walk in. Things have changed. The ticketing system is more rigid than it used to be.
- Check the status: Always check the official Hudson Yards website before you go. They close for high winds or maintenance without much notice.
- The "Buddy System" is still a thing: Generally, they don't allow solo visitors on the upper levels. Bring a friend or join a small group.
- The Best Time: Go about 45 minutes before sunset. The way the light bounces off the bronze steel and the nearby glass towers (like 30 Hudson Yards) is legitimately one of the best free—or cheap—shows in the city.
- The Vessel at Hudson Yards is part of a larger ecosystem: Don't just see the Vessel. You’ve got The Shed (the sliding arts building next door), the High Line entrance, and the mall.
The mall is... well, it’s a mall. But the food basement (Mercado Little Spain) is actually great. Grab some churros there after you climb the stairs. You’ll need the carbs.
Navigating the "Influencer" Crowds
Look, this is one of the most Instagrammed spots on the planet. You will see people doing full outfit changes in the middle of the landings. It’s annoying. If you want a clean shot of the symmetry without a dozen people in the frame, you have to be there the minute they open.
Wait for the "middle" landings. Most people stop at the first one to take photos. If you keep moving to the third or fourth level, the crowds thin out slightly. The geometry actually looks better from the mid-points anyway because you get the sense of being "inside" the structure rather than just looking up at it.
📖 Related: Anderson California Explained: Why This Shasta County Hub is More Than a Pit Stop
Is it Worth the Hype?
This is where people get divisive. If you hate "manufactured" neighborhoods, you’ll probably hate the Vessel. Hudson Yards was built on top of an active train yard. It’s a feat of engineering, but it lacks the grit of the East Village or the history of Brooklyn Heights. It feels like a playground for the wealthy.
But if you appreciate engineering? It’s fascinating. The way those massive steel pieces were shipped from Italy and assembled like a giant LEGO set is incredible. It’s a vertical park. In a city where space is the ultimate currency, a 15-story park made of stairs is a bold statement.
Actionable Tips for Your Hudson Yards Visit
Don't just wing it. Manhattan is too expensive and too crowded for that.
- Reserve Tickets Early: Even if they are free or low-cost, the time slots fill up, especially on weekends.
- Wear Proper Shoes: I see people in heels on those stairs all the time. Don't be that person. The stairs are metal; they can be slippery when damp.
- Use the Elevator if Needed: There is an elevator for those with mobility issues. It’s glass and offers a cool perspective, but the line can be long.
- Connect to the High Line: Start at 14th Street and walk north. Ending your walk at the Vessel feels like a much more natural "climax" to the journey than starting at the Vessel and walking south.
- Look Up, Not Just Out: The view of the New Jersey skyline is okay, but the view looking straight up from the center of the base is the real "architectural" moment.
The Vessel at Hudson Yards remains a work in progress. It’s a symbol of New York’s relentless desire to build bigger and weirder things, even when we aren't quite sure what to do with them once they're finished. It has been a site of beauty and a site of mourning. Today, it’s trying to be a site of resilience. Go see it for yourself, form your own opinion, and maybe get a decent leg workout while you're at it.