CROWN SYDNEY

CROWN SYDNEY

A bespoke craneage solution for Sydney’s newest landmark.

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PROJECT OVERVIEW

Uniquely located on the Barangaroo foreshore, Crown Sydney is Sydney’s tallest building and an iconic addition to the city’s skyline. But from a construction point-of-view, the striking architectural design of the 275-metre-high skyscraper and its harbour front location presented several significant challenges for Crown Resorts and their builder.

Knowing they needed to think differently about how to construct the project they contacted Marr’s team to help them come up with a solution.

Client
UNDISCLOSED
Project
CROWN SYDNEY
Location
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Sector
HIGH RISE
Date
2019-2020
Cranes

1 x M2480D

2 x M390D

1 x M40R

THE CHALLENGE

When our client initially contacted us, their primary concern was borne out of previous experience working on a project where the craneage solution couldn’t meet the demands of working at height in a high wind area like Barangaroo. The resulting downtime and associated costs on that project meant they wanted a new craneage solution for the construction of Crown Sydney. The brief, in short, was to come up with a craneage solution that would speed up the construction program without compromising on safety or quality.

OUR SOLUTION

Having a long-standing working relationship with our client, they invited us in early to help come up with a solution. Our answer to the problem was to develop a bespoke super high-speed M390D crane with a high-capacity winch system for the high-rise construction with a M2480D working on heavy lifting requirements lower down.

THE RESULT

The end result was a safer method of construction that reduced complexity, helped de-risk the project and supported Crown’s construction schedule. “From a construction point-of-view this was a uniquely challenging project, but our partners at Marr’s had an innovative approach that aligned with our preferred construction methodology,” said Greg Munday, Vice President – Design & Construction, Crown Resorts.

Located in a congested CBD site on the Barangaroo foreshore between Sydney Harbour to the west and another construction site to the west, Crown Sydney’s location and complex sculptural design presented several challenges to Crown and their builder. The construction team’s primary concern was how to meet the demands of working at height in a high wind area like the Barangaroo foreshore and complete the heavy lifting requirements in such a confined space.

Knowing they needed to think differently about how to construct the 275-metre tall high-rise tower, Crown’s builder contacted Marr’s team early on in the project to come up with a solution. The brief was to come up with a craneage methodology that would speed up the construction program without compromising on safety or quality.

The main challenge for the construction of the open space gaming floor, was how to install steel reinforcing beams weighing up to 100-tonnes in such a congested space. Higher up, building the tower required a unique craneage solution that could meet the lifting requirements while operating in high winds.

To meet the challenges of working on the high-rise construction in a high wind area, we designed a bespoke Marr 390D (M390D) crane with a high-capacity winch system. The super high-speed crane allowed lifts of up to 25-tonnes from ground level to the top of the tower in just over a minute, with the ability to work in winds of up to 72 kms per hour.

The M390D was also used to assist with lifting some of the heavier steel structures around the tower.

Once the project had topped out, the M390D’s 46-metre boom and other sections were removed using Marr’s unique recovery crane system.

The unique architectural design of building also required a unique approach to lifting the large structural elements for the low-rise gaming floor 75-storey high-rise tower. Using one of Marr’s M2480D Heavy Lift Luffing (HLL) cranes to lift the large 100-tonne steel reinforcing beams and 50-tonne columns that formed the base of the structure in single lifts.

Crown Sydney also adopted a top-down construction methodology which allowed two work fronts, with the M2480D employed to lift heavy general machinery (such as excavators and drills rigs), saving the cost of crawler cranes and allowing excavation work to be taken off critical path. It also provided options for how to deal with any unexpected lifting requirements during the excavation works. Designed to fit in with Crown’s construction methodology, an additional M390D and M440D were also on-site to assist with the construction of the gaming floor and hotel.

Marr’s team also designed a three-beam internal climbing system to suit the jump-form construction methodology used on the project, which reduced the number of climbs and disruption to the project by approximately 30 per cent with a typical 20-metre climbing cycle completed within two hours.

The end result was a safer method of construction that reduced complexity, helped de-risk the project and supported Crown’s construction schedule.

According to Greg Munday, Vice President – Design & Construction, Crown Resorts, “The complex architectural design of Crown Sydney made this a uniquely challenging project. Seeing it come to life and take its place in Sydney’s skyline has been incredibly rewarding. It’s become a landmark that reflects the beauty of its surrounds on one of the world’s most beautiful harbours. From a construction point-of-view this was a uniquely challenging project, but our partners at Marr’s had an innovative approach that aligned with our preferred construction methodology.”

LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW WE COULD ADD VALUE TO YOUR PROJECT

We work with our clients to find a craneage solution that works – no matter how big or complex the job is. If the right crane doesn’t already exist, we’ll build one to suit the needs of your project.

ABOUT US

We’re not just a crew and cranes for hire. We’re big thinkers and problem solvers who love a challenge. No problem is too big for us.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We believe that the crane needs to suit the job, not the other way around. We don’t just hire cranes – we design craneage solutions.

OUR HERITAGE

We’re a third-generation family-owned and run business with a strong sense of tradition and loyalty engrained in what we do and how we work together.

OUR PEOPLE

We think of our team as ‘one big family’ of problem-solvers who love cranes and the challenge of working on complex, large-scale projects.

OUR APPROACH

We work with you to find an engineering solution that works. Delivering value through the unique combination of our knowledge, experience, proven service delivery and people.

OUR SERVICES

We’ve worked on some of the most complex and challenging large-scale construction projects across Australia and around the world.

OUR CRANES

We don’t just hire cranes – we design them. So, if the right crane for your job doesn’t already exist, we’ll build one.

OUR PROJECTS

With almost 100 years’ experience, we have a reputation for taking on projects that others can’t or won’t.

SAFETY, QUALITY & ENVIRONMENT

We take on the jobs that many others can’t or won’t – but we always put good business practices first.

SUSTAINABILITY

We take sustainability seriously. It’s inherent in our commitment to finding the best and most efficient solution to every job.

SOCIAL IMPACT

As problem-solvers who love a challenge, we are never shy of tackling the big issues.

DIVERSITY

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and flexible workplace that reflects the clients and communities we work with.