Skyscraper nicknamed ‘Big Bend’ set to be world’s longest building at 4,000ft

A bizarre U-shaped skyscraper nicknamed ‘The Big Bend’ could soon redefine New York’s skyline- and become the longest building in the world.

The proposed 4000ft structure, conceived by the US architectural studio Oiio, aims to push architectural boundaries by using a loophole to circumnavigate New York’s strict planning laws.

Rather than aiming skyward in a traditional vertical ascent, The Big Bend would arc in a giant upside-down U, stretching horizontally across the skyline and then looping back down. According to its designers, this curve sidesteps costly height restrictions, enabling them to ‘overcome the limit of the skies’. 

In New York, developers have long relied on purchasing ‘air rights’- the vertical space above neighbouring buildings- to construct ever-taller structures. But with its U-shaped structure, Oiio’s design breaks with tradition by capitalising on the available airspace without the added expense required to reach further heights. 

This approach lets developers achieve new vertical dimensions on smaller plots of land, all while keeping construction costs relatively contained.

If built, The Big Bend would surpass Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by an impressive 1,000 feet, even as it towers 200 feet higher than the One World Trade Center, currently the tallest building in New York City.

In another feat of engineering, the elevators are designed to travel along curved, horizontal paths, allowing them to move continuously within the building’s arch.

Designer Ioannis Oikonomou said: ‘There are many different ways that can make a building stand out, but in order to do so the building has to literally stand out.

‘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 Big Bend can become a modest architectural solution to the height limitations of Manhattan.’

Oiio echoed the desire to stand out, stating: ‘There’s an obsession that resides in Manhattan.

‘It is undeniable because it is made to be seen.’

But as with any ambitious architectural project, The Big Bend has not been without its critics. Some of New York’s leading architects have expressed concerns about the city’s growing collection of super-tall towers, citing fears of inequality and environmental impact.

Renowned architect Steven Holl described these skyscrapers as ‘symbols of inequality,’ while Liz Diller said the project symbolised New York’s ongoing ‘consumption by the dollar.’

Meanwhile, many residents are also concerned about the impact the building would have on Central Park, fearing it would cast unwanted shadows over the city’s cherished green space.

Architectural Digest recently featured Oiio’s concept with a headline warning that ‘This Skyscraper Could Ruin New York’s Skyline.’

Yet despite this pushback, the studio is targeting Manhattan’s ‘Billionaire’s Row’ near Central Park for the skyscraper, hoping the unique design will become a landmark in its own right.

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