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NEWS
'New York's Eiffel Tower': Heatherwick unveils landmark sculpture for Hudson Yards
POSTED 15 Sep 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Vessel will have 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, 2,400 steps and 80 landings Credit: Forbes Massie
Rather than just be something to look at, our design undertook the challenge of creating a landmark every inch of which could be climbed and explored
– Heatherwick Studio
British designer Thomas Heatherwick has unveiled a climbable public landmark that will be the towering centrepiece of New York City’s Hudson Yards development.

Vessel is a honeycomb-like structure of 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, 2,400 steps and 80 landings. A mile's worth of pathway will rise above a public plaza below.

Conceived as a vast interactive sculpture and a new public landmark, it will stand 150ft (45.7m) tall with a diameter widening from 50ft (15m) at the base to 150ft at its top.

The painted steel frame – with its underside surfaces covered by a polished copper-coloured steel skin – is currently being fabricated in Italy. The project is due for completion towards the end of 2018.

“Rather than just be something to look at, our design undertook the challenge of creating a landmark every inch of which could be climbed and explored,” said Heatherwick Studio in a statement. “Vessel will lift the public up, offering new ways to look at New York, Hudson Yards and each other.”

Stephen Ross, the chairman of Hudson Yards developer Related Companies, has previously said Heatherwick’s tower “will become to New York what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris.” It is expected to cost around US$150m (€133.5m, £114m) to build.

The wider Hudson Yards development is New York’s largest since the Rockefeller Center. The mixed-use real estate development will consist of 16 skyscrapers and a 750,000 sq ft (70,000sq m) retail centre with restaurants, cafes, markets, a cinema and bars. There will also be new houses, schools and 20 acres public space.

Vessel will be located in the site’s five acre Public Square and Gardens, designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

Speaking about Vessel, New York mayor Bill de Blasio said: “I’m struck by the notion that this could be a place – yes, for people to be active – but also a place that will cause us to reflect and think.

“There’s something compelling and attractive about it; certainly something that will make it a must-see and a must-walk for all New Yorkers.”

Heatherwick is having a busy year. His Pier 55 floating park for New York’s Hudson River is finally being built after a protracted court battle; he has been commissioned to design a new stand for Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage stadium; he’s won a Disruptive Innovation Award; and the controversy over his Garden Bridge for London continues to rumble on.

Vessel will be located in Hudson Yards' Public Square and Gardens, designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects Credit: Forbes Massie
The painted steel frame will be covered by a polished copper-coloured steel skin Credit: Forbes Massie
Heatherwick Studio said 'Vessel will lift the public up, offering new ways to look at New York, Hudson Yards and each other' Credit: Forbes Massie
PROJECT PROFILE:

Pier 55 New York
British architect and designer Thomas Heatherwick from Heatherwick Studios, and landscape architecture firm Mathews Nielsen have been chosen to design ‘Pier 55’ – a US$170m (€136m, £109m) floating park on the Hudson River.

Location: New York , United States
Size: 1.1-hectare (2.7 acres)
Budget: US$170m (€136m, £109m)

RELATED STORIES
  Thomas Heatherwick urges backers of 'amazing' Garden Bridge 'to hold their nerve' as criticism mounts


British designer Thomas Heatherwick has launched an impassioned defence of his Garden Bridge project in London, arguing that the project has been used as a political football by “people with an agenda” and those “who love to sneer.”
  Fulham FC secures Heatherwick Studio for stadium project


Heatherwick Studio – the architects behind the London 2012 Olympic cauldron – have been commissioned by Fulham Football Club to design a new stand.
  Thomas Heatherwick wins lifetime achievement prize at Disruptive Innovation Awards


British designer Thomas Heatherwick will be presented with a lifetime achievement prize at the 2016 Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards on 22 April.
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NEWS
'New York's Eiffel Tower': Heatherwick unveils landmark sculpture for Hudson Yards
POSTED 15 Sep 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Vessel will have 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, 2,400 steps and 80 landings Credit: Forbes Massie
Rather than just be something to look at, our design undertook the challenge of creating a landmark every inch of which could be climbed and explored
– Heatherwick Studio
British designer Thomas Heatherwick has unveiled a climbable public landmark that will be the towering centrepiece of New York City’s Hudson Yards development.

Vessel is a honeycomb-like structure of 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, 2,400 steps and 80 landings. A mile's worth of pathway will rise above a public plaza below.

Conceived as a vast interactive sculpture and a new public landmark, it will stand 150ft (45.7m) tall with a diameter widening from 50ft (15m) at the base to 150ft at its top.

The painted steel frame – with its underside surfaces covered by a polished copper-coloured steel skin – is currently being fabricated in Italy. The project is due for completion towards the end of 2018.

“Rather than just be something to look at, our design undertook the challenge of creating a landmark every inch of which could be climbed and explored,” said Heatherwick Studio in a statement. “Vessel will lift the public up, offering new ways to look at New York, Hudson Yards and each other.”

Stephen Ross, the chairman of Hudson Yards developer Related Companies, has previously said Heatherwick’s tower “will become to New York what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris.” It is expected to cost around US$150m (€133.5m, £114m) to build.

The wider Hudson Yards development is New York’s largest since the Rockefeller Center. The mixed-use real estate development will consist of 16 skyscrapers and a 750,000 sq ft (70,000sq m) retail centre with restaurants, cafes, markets, a cinema and bars. There will also be new houses, schools and 20 acres public space.

Vessel will be located in the site’s five acre Public Square and Gardens, designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

Speaking about Vessel, New York mayor Bill de Blasio said: “I’m struck by the notion that this could be a place – yes, for people to be active – but also a place that will cause us to reflect and think.

“There’s something compelling and attractive about it; certainly something that will make it a must-see and a must-walk for all New Yorkers.”

Heatherwick is having a busy year. His Pier 55 floating park for New York’s Hudson River is finally being built after a protracted court battle; he has been commissioned to design a new stand for Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage stadium; he’s won a Disruptive Innovation Award; and the controversy over his Garden Bridge for London continues to rumble on.

Vessel will be located in Hudson Yards' Public Square and Gardens, designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects Credit: Forbes Massie
The painted steel frame will be covered by a polished copper-coloured steel skin Credit: Forbes Massie
Heatherwick Studio said 'Vessel will lift the public up, offering new ways to look at New York, Hudson Yards and each other' Credit: Forbes Massie
RELATED STORIES
Thomas Heatherwick urges backers of 'amazing' Garden Bridge 'to hold their nerve' as criticism mounts


British designer Thomas Heatherwick has launched an impassioned defence of his Garden Bridge project in London, arguing that the project has been used as a political football by “people with an agenda” and those “who love to sneer.”
Fulham FC secures Heatherwick Studio for stadium project


Heatherwick Studio – the architects behind the London 2012 Olympic cauldron – have been commissioned by Fulham Football Club to design a new stand.
Thomas Heatherwick wins lifetime achievement prize at Disruptive Innovation Awards


British designer Thomas Heatherwick will be presented with a lifetime achievement prize at the 2016 Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards on 22 April.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
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COMPANY PROFILES
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
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