02.02.2011

44 Wolffs for Mecca

Wolffkran and its partner in Saudi Arabia, the Roots Group, have sold 44 tower cranes for work on the enlargement of the holy city of Mecca.

The town is currently undergoing a massive growth spurt, mostly for large hotel complexes, as it attempts to keep up with the demand from the ever growing number of pilgrims that visit each year.

The al-Haram mosque is currently surrounded by a tower cranes, almost blocking a clear view of the Kaaba from some directions. The first phase of the project for the cranes involved 20 Wolff 355B luffing jib models.
Please register to see all images

A view of Mecca with one of the Wolffkran cranes

The fact that the project is located on holy ground posed some challenges for the Wolffkran erection crew. German technicians were not permited on the premises and therefore had to pre-assemble the cranes outside of the city and ensure that enough Muslim erectors were trained to sufficient skill levels to carry out all of the work on site.

The second phase of construction includes a mix of luffers and saddle jib cranes. The 44 cranes will be in place until late 2012.
Please register to see all images

One of the Wolffkran 355B luffing jib cranes in Mecca

One of the highest parts of the a major project, to the south of the mosque, is a massive hotel complex – with the Mecca Royal clock tower at its centre, which will top-out at over 600 metres high. The tower will be the highest building in Saudi Arabia and the second highest in the world, after the 828 metre Burj Khalifa in Dubai.