Imagine stepping into a single building that feels like an entire city. That’s the reality for more than 20,000 residents
of a colossal S-shaped skyscraper in Hangzhou, China. At 675 feet tall and containing over 5,000 apartments, it’s believed
to be the largest residential building in the world. Originally designed as a six-star hotel, it was later converted into a vast residential
complex now favored by students, young professionals, and graduates seeking affordable housing in a prime location.
Apartments range from windowless studios to multi-room units, with rents starting at just 1,500 RMB ($210) and larger spaces around
4,000 RMB ($570). Compared to New York or other global cities, the affordability is striking. But what truly
makes the skyscraper extraordinary is how self-contained it is.
Inside, residents can find supermarkets, salons, food courts, gyms, swimming pools, and internet cafés—all without stepping outdoors.
Each wing functions like a micro-neighborhood, making the building a “vertical city” where nearly every need is met under one roof.
The complex has gone viral worldwide, sparking debate. To some, it’s a marvel of modern urban planning; to others,
it resembles a dystopian experiment. For its residents, though, it’s simply home—an unusual blend of affordability,
convenience, and scale that blurs the line between innovation and confinement.