The $200 million staircase that became Manhattan's most controversial landmark

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed to be a modern-day jungle gym, the Vessel in Hudson Yards is a 16-story honeycomb of steel and copper. But behind its striking, Escher-like beauty lies a turbulent history of soaring costs, accessibility protests, and a heartbreaking series of tragedies.

Conceived by designer Thomas Heatherwick, the Vessel is a 150-foot-tall structure located in New York City's Hudson Yards Public Square. Drawing influence from Indian stepwells and Heatherwick's early interest in abandoned staircases, the layout incorporates 80 landings, 2,500 steps, and 154 flights. While the project was originally projected to cost $75 million, the complexity of manufacturing the steel components in Monfalcone, Italy, drove the final estimate to approximately $200 million. The structure's base is 50 feet wide, expanding to its full height at the apex. It is capable of hosting up to 1,000 people simultaneously.

The structure's history is marked by significant legal and social friction. Upon its March 15, 2019, opening, the Vessel faced intense criticism regarding its lack of accessibility for wheelchair users. Despite having an elevator, the Department of Justice filed a complaint alleging the structure failed to comply with the Americans with an Disabilities Act of 1990, as most landings remained unreachable. By December 2019, an agreement was reached to improve access via additional wheelchair lifts. The developer, Related Companies, initially faced backlash for claiming ownership of all photographs taken of the landmark. This controversial policy was eventually abandoned.

More somber is the Vessel's struggle with public safety. Following a series of suicides between February 2020 and July 2021, the venue underwent multiple closures and reopenings. The installation of safety measures evolved from netting to full-height steel mesh barriers. After a period of indefinite closure, the structure finally reopened on October 21, 2024, with glass safety barriers in place, though the top level remains closed to the public. The site's surrounding plaza features 225 trees and 28,000 plants. During the winter holidays, the structure is illuminated at night.

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