Monoclinic CuO is anomalous both structurally as well as electronically in the 3$d$ transition metal oxide series. All the others have the cubic rock salt structure. Here we report the synthesis and electronic property determination of a tetragonal (elongated rock salt) form of CuO created using an epitaxial thin film deposition approach. In situ photoelectron spectroscopy suggests an enhanced charge transfer gap $Delta$ with the overall bonding more ionic. As an end member of the 3d transition monoxides, its magnetic properties should be that of a high $T_N$ antiferromagnet.
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