Imperial Crane Makes Multiple Heavy Lifts on Chicago Skyscraper Project

May 23, 2007 • Overlooking the Chicago River, 300 North LaSalle will be one of Chicago's tallest buildings once it's completed in January 2009. Designed by Pickard Chilton Architects and developed by Hines, the 60-story, 1.3 million square-foot office building will continue the Chicago's tradition of impressive architecture.

Additionally, 300 North LaSalle is LEED pre-certified, which designates the building as one that provides cost-effective operation, enhanced occupant health and well-being, improved employee productivity, and an ecological benefit to the city. Its façade will be primarily composed of a unitized curtain wall system with stainless steel accent covers that incorporate metal panel buttresses at the top of the structure. Full height, low-E glass panels will offer spectacular views and abundant natural light, as well as make the building more energy efficient.

In order to lift the heating and cooling units on 300 North LaSalle, mechanical contractor F.E. Moran, Northbrook, Ill., brought in Imperial Crane Services, Bridgeview, Ill., and its 441-ton capacity, seven-axle Liebherr LTM 1400-7.1 all-terrain crane fitted with the Y-guy attachment to increase capacities.  

According to Imperial Crane, every time the company sets up its 500-ton crane in downtown Chicago, lack of space is an issue. The lifts were required to be made on a Saturday, so it was important for everything to go well. Each of the three 70,000-pound chillers needed to be lifted at a 110-foot radius, which Ricky Bohne, heavy lift coordinator, said “was done in about four hours.” With the critical HVAC lifting out of the way, construction of the project continues to stay on task.