On the site of the CityWave building in the heart of Milan, Italian companies CMB and Colombo Costruzioni are mobilizing a fleet of eight Potain cranes. The futuristic building comprises two towers linked by a 140 m gantry with a curved roof.
This emblematic project is being carried out by Italian companies CMB and Colombo Costruzioni. It aims to create the city's first LEED Platinum pre-certified mixed-use building with zero environmental impact. With its ambitious architecture, CityWave will comprise 63,000 m² of office and retail space, spread over two towers linked by a 140-meter curved-roof portico.
Optimized layout
Teams from Manitowoc Lift Solutions supported CMB and Colombo Costruzioni in selecting the right combination of Potain cranes. Some of these cranes, such as CMB's MDT 319 and Colombo's MDT 219, were purchased specifically for the job. They are accompanied by other models from the fleets of both companies.
Both companies worked with Lift Solutions to develop an optimized layout throughout the site, ensuring maximum productivity and minimum interference between the various cranes deployed. Lift Solutions carried out the calculations required to anchor the cranes, and the Italian team installed them.
Over 120 m
The two MDT 219 cranes are anchored to the building as they rise, working with their 60 m jib. One of the two cranes will eventually reach a working height of over 120 m. The second will reach a hook height of over 80 m, as will the MDT 319 with its 50 m jib.
"When we looked at planning the cranes, we focused more on their reliability and productivity than on their lifting capacity. Naturally, Potain is one of the world's leading brands of tower cranes, which reassured us about their performance. All that remained was to select the right models capable of working together as the construction progressed," says Enzo Macis, site manager for CMB.
Once completed, CityWave's 53-metre-high roof will be equipped with Milan's largest solar installation, reinforcing the project's environmental commitment. Delivery is scheduled for 2026, just in time for the Winter Olympics.
