Thomas Heatherwick’s 150-foot climbable ‘Vessel’ hits halfway mark at Hudson Yards

In April, construction began on Hudson Yards’ Vessel, a 150-foot-tall steel structure designed by Heatherwick Studio and its 100,000 pound-components were put in place by crane. The $200 million “public landmark” began to rise in August and now the structure’s construction has hit its halfway mark. The project’s idea comes from Related Companies’ chairman Stephen Ross, who called it the “365-day Christmas tree.” The climbable Vessel will be the centerpiece of the Public Square and Gardens, five-acres of greenery that will connect the buildings of Hudson Yards. The structure includes 154 geometric-lattice linked flights of stairs, 80 landings and will able to hold 1,000 visitors.

Photos of the Vessel under construction in Italy, via Heatherwick Studio

After being fabricated and constructed in Italy, the first ten pieces of bronzed concrete and steel arrived in January at the Port of Newark on a ship and then traveled across the Hudson River.

Components of the Vessel arriving in Hudson Yards in August, photos courtesy of CityRealty

And then in August, more of the massive structure arrived at Hudson Yards. Plans for the Vessel dated back to 2013 after Related’s Ross announced his $100 million budget. He predicted the interactive centerpiece to be the city’s next major landmark, calling it “New York’s Eiffel Tower.”

Rendering of the Vessel, courtesy of Heatherwick Studio

Officially midway through its completion, the rise of the Vessel can be seen best from the High Line and Hudson Park and Boulevard and West 34th Street. Construction is expected to wrap up at the end of this year, officially opening to the public next fall.

The development of Hudson Yards continues to progress daily. As 6sqft previously covered, the 910-foot-tall tower at 15 Hudson Yards, which overlooks the Vessel, has put its first 15 apartments on the market. The skyscraper’s priciest condo includes the penthouse #88B, which is asking $32 million and spans 5,161 square feet.

RELATED:

• Related’s Stephen Ross kicks off construction on Hudson Yards’ 150-foot climbable ‘Vessel’
• First 15 Hudson Yards penthouse hits the market for $32M
• Watch The Shed, an 8-million-pound structure, glide effortlessly alongside the High Line

All photos courtesy of CityRealty