---
title: "New U-Shaped Skyscraper in NYC Could Become World’s Longest Building"
description: "A glass-lined tower, 4,000 feet long, will also come equipped with an elevator that can travel in curves, horizontally, and in continuous loops."
date: "2017-03-23"
modified: "2017-03-23"
authors:
  - name: "Abby Norman"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/abby.md"
url: "https://futurism.com/new-u-shaped-skyscraper-in-nyc-could-become-worlds-longest-building"
categories:
  - "Future Society"
tags:
  - "architecture"
  - "future"
  - "new york city"
---

# New U-Shaped Skyscraper in NYC Could Become World’s Longest Building

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Skyscraper_oiiostudio_07.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="http://www.oiiostudio.com/#/thebigbend/" target="\_blank"\>Oiio Studio\</a\>\</em\>*

Maybe the only way isn't up after all: newly released concept drawings by a Greek architect for a skyscraper in Manhattan bend more than just minds.

According to architect Ioannis Oikonomou, New York’s zoning laws are prompting developers to explore new ways to maximize a building’s height. To that end, his studio is exploring substituting height with length.

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/thebigbend_oiio_WEB.gif>)
*Image Credit: Oiio Studio*

Apart from being a novel addition to Manhattan’s impressive skyline, the structure — dubbed The Beg Bend — could essentially become a viable architectural solution that addresses the height limitations of buildings in the city. It could even be an answer to the city's expensive housing — giving the building the prestige of a high-rise while maximizing the limited space.

In renderings, the building is shown to be a 4,000-foot-long, glass-lined tower. It will also come equipped with an elevator that can travel in curves, horizontally, and in continuous loops.

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Skyscraper_oiiostudio_07-1.jpg>)
*Image Credit: Oiio Studio*

On the [Oiio Studio website,](<http://www.oiiostudio.com/#/thebigbend/>) the architect's said

“If we manage to bend our structure instead of bending the zoning rules of New York we would be able to create one of the most prestigious buildings in Manhattan. The longest building in the world."

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Skyscraper_oiiostudio_06.jpg>)
*Image Credit: Oiio Studio*

Also, interestingly, if you were to stretch The Big Bend out vertically, it would be double the height of the tallest buildings today.

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