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A tight urban jobsite prompted Century Steel Erectors, a local lifting services provider, to seek out a unique solution for a department store conversion project in downtown Pittsburgh, PA. Called the Piatt Place, the well-known commercial site underwent redevelopment to transform it into a high-end condominium and retail complex.

Century Steel was involved in the construction of the original department store back in 1998. The 150’ x 150’ building was initially 70 ft. above street level. The latest project would add two stories to the existing five-story building, raising its overall height by another 35 ft.

According to Chuck McKee, project manager for Century Steel, a lack of space forced the company to look at alternatives to its normal lifting choices. It elected to use a Potain HDT 80 self-erecting tower crane, supplied by American Contractors, the local Potain dealer.

“We chose the HDT 80 because lifting work had to take place in a narrow street. Space was very limited,” he explains. “But with the small outrigger footprint, we could set up the crane and keep pedestrians moving.”

Construction work took place in 30’ x 30’ bays. The heaviest loads were header beams weighing up to 4,500 lbs. each. The crane also lifted 1,500-lb. infill beams and bundles of metal floor decks weighing up to 4,500 lbs.