Eight Potain cranes from CMB and Colombo Costruzioni were used to construct Milan's innovative CityWave building in the CityLife district. The cranes worked in unison, optimizing productivity and reliability while accommodating the complex project's changing shape. The building features a striking design, including a 460 ft. curved-roof portico with photovoltaic panels for sustainable energy. Scheduled for completion before the 2026 Winter Olympics, CityWave sets a new standard for office architecture in Milan.
Photo courtesy of Manitowoc
To bring the complex building to life, CMB and Colombo Costruzioni each provided a mix of Potain cranes from their fleets.
CityWave is the final building in one of Milan's newest and most desirable districts, CityLife. It aims to "stand as a new paradigm for the offices of the future", with its striking architecture comprising a 75,347 sq. yd. office and retail complex featuring two towers joined by a 460 ft. curved-roof portico.
To bring the complex building to life, CMB and Colombo Costruzioni each provided a mix of Potain cranes from their fleets. The two companies then worked with Manitowoc's specialist Lift Solutions team to develop a work plan that optimized the construction schedule as the cranes climbed during the project, ensuring maximum productivity and minimal interference between the high density of cranes.
Manitowoc's Lift Solutions team provided the necessary calculations for building anchorage, while the team in Italy handled the fabrication.
CMB purchased a new Potain MDT 319 topless tower crane for the project, while Colombo purchased an MDT 219. Together, the companies combined these new models with a mix of Potain cranes from their existing fleets.
Enzo Macis, jobsite director at CMB, said productivity and reliability were the most important factors in the work.
"When we looked at crane planning, we weren't focused as much on lifting capacity as we were on reliability and productivity. Of course, Potain is a world-leading tower crane brand so we were always confident in their performance, so then it became a question of selecting the right models that would work together as the project changed shape while construction advanced," he said. "We needed to avoid interference, ensure operational reliability and maintain optimal coverage of the site — not an easy task."
Two MDT 219 cranes are anchored to the building as they climb and are working with their full jib lengths of 60 m. One of the units will eventually reach a working height of more than 394 ft. The second will reach a final working height of over 262 ft., as will the MDT 319, which is working with a 164 ft. jib.
Stefano Crespi, project manager at Colombo Costruzioni, said that developing the crane layout with Manitowoc Lift Solutions was one of the most crucial parts of the jobsite planning.
"There was strong collaboration between us, CMB and the Manitowoc Lift Solutions Team. We carefully planned the assembly and disassembly, as well as all climbing and lifting. Fitting a high density of cranes into a limited space is a logistical challenge, but we tailored solutions to fit every aspect of the site thanks to the versatility and advanced design of Potain cranes," he said.
The building's defining feature will be its unique roof, which will stand at 174 ft. in height once complete and which will be covered with photovoltaic panels to create Milan's largest solar power installation. The cranes will remain on site until the end of construction, helping dismantle equipment before CityWave opens in time for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
CMB Cooperativa Muratori e Braccianti di Carpi was founded in 1908 and specializes in civil and hospital construction. Colombo Costruzioni was founded in 1905 and operates predominantly in the private construction sector.
For more information, visit www.manitowoc.com.
This story also appears on Crane Equipment Guide.
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