AINSCOUGH PROVIDES TOWERING SERVICE FOR FUTURE MANCHESTER LANDMARK

Ainscough Crane Hire has worked with HTC Wolffkran Ltd to play a key role in the construction of one of Manchester’s most exciting new buildings.

Property Alliance Group’s 28-storey Axis Tower recently topped out, with the concrete structure and external envelope having been completed.

When finished, the skyscraper will incorporate 170 one and two-bedroom luxury apartments and two three-bedroom penthouses, all boasting enviable views of the city.

Ainscough Crane Hire was hired by HTC Wolffkran Ltd to dismantle the WK100b crane located in the building’s centre, which had been used to construct the tower’s structure.

The project presented numerous difficulties, caused both by January’s trying weather conditions and the constrictions caused by the city centre location.

As the ground where the lift was taking place was not level, extra mats were used to secure the area upon which the crane sat. The other difficulties included the proximity of the busy Deansgate and Oxford Road train stations and the operation taking place above gas mains.

The turbulent weather conditions resulted in the dismantling of the WK100b being delayed on multiple occasions, but once the operation was able to commence it was completed safely and securely. A 500t crane with a 42m fixed fly was used to disassemble the tower crane, which was approximately 100m in height.

Bob Beardmore, Heavy Cranes Technical Manager, said: “People who live, work or travel through Manchester will be familiar with the Axis Tower – it’s a very impressive sight and promises to be an excellent addition to the city’s. Dismantling a 100m tower crane in such a complex area, and in difficult weather conditions, presented some challenges, but I’m happy to say that we were able to complete the project to our usual exceptional standard while causing minimal disruption to workers, residents and passers-by in this busy area.”

The Axis Tower is being built by Russells Construction for developer Property Alliance Group, and was designed by architect Jon Matthews in association with 5plus architects.