320 Granville St |115m | 32Fl | Completed

[red-paladin]

Status updated to U/C.

[jollyburger]

Seems like it's too close to the Royal Bank building to make a second crane worth installing?

I wonder if they should install some cement barricades around the base of the tower?

[officedweller]

It's probably at the corner to provide the most coverage over the site.

[mcminsen]

This is interesting. As it is now, the crane cannot swing over the site. I'm presuming this is not a luffing crane. So, I'm going to guess that they will eventually raise the crane enough for it to swing over the Royal Bank building and the other one (333 Seymour) to the east. That would also explain why the base of the crane is on ground level rather than down in the pit. This could be one of the tallest freestanding crane stems I've ever seen. Probably will have to be 20+ storeys? That's my guess.




Dec.8 '19, my pics

[jollyburger]

Just noticed two concrete barriers at the base protecting it from street traffic.

Yeah, I guess it won't be practical to have it do wide turns lifting from Cordova and then going onto the site while hoisting loads over all the traffic. Will the boom touch the Royal Bank building or is it far enough away?

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

that seems pretty sketchy really. all it takes is a few feet too far. i am sure they know what they are doing but i would get an uneasy feeling if my office was around where the crane is swinging.

also, does anyone know of another time a crane was placed off site like this? either in the sidewalk or traffic lanes? i cant think of another time i have seen that.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Just noticed two concrete barriers at the base protecting it from street traffic.

Yeah, I guess it won't be practical to have it do wide turns lifting from Cordova and then going onto the site while hoisting loads over all the traffic. Will the boom touch the Royal Bank building or is it far enough away?

Yes, in its current configuration I think the crane would collide with the Royal Bank building if it swung too far that way. In fact, I don't think it would clear the flag pole on the Sinclair Centre right now (see pic below).

I'm sure the boom length is designed to reach the far diagonal corner of the site once it is raised and can freely swing over the two adjacent office towers.



Dec.8 '19, my pic

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Yes, in its current configuration I think the crane would collide with the Royal Bank building if it swung too far that way. In fact, I don't think it would clear the flag pole on the Sinclair Centre right now (see pic below).

I'm sure the boom length is designed to reach the far diagonal corner of the site once it is raised and can freely swing over the two adjacent office towers.

Not sure why they didn't install a luffing crane for the site and maybe even two of them...

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

Not sure why they didn't install a luffing crane for the site and maybe even two of them...

Exactly what I was thinking.

[SFUVancouver]

So how does this work in practice? Are there physical stops to keep the boom from swinging into the adjacent tower? Software-based stops? Software-based stops that calculate load, lift length, and potential pendulum motion of the load to keep it from hitting the building?

I recall that when the Olympic Village had 12 tower cranes in operation there was an article about a collision avoidance system being used (for the first time?) to manage movements and prevent collisions.

Genuinely curious about all this. Unsurprisingly, not many people are into talking about such things.

[phesto]

They are installing several more sections to the crane today to raise it up. Looks likely that when they are finished, the crane will be high enough that it can swing a full 360 degrees without hitting the neighbouring buildings.

[cairnstone]

Thats a great thing. About 16 years ago there was a site dt that had the crane base be moved 30 feet. Crane company was unaware nd build the crane as per drawings. Took out a office in the building next door. Good thing it was saturday and it was empty

[officedweller]

I guess they installed the boom at the highest point that the installation crane could reach, then add height.

[osirisboy]

I wonder why they are even adding a crane now when there are still several floors left to excavate out

[Vin]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

I wonder why they are even adding a crane now when there are still several floors left to excavate out

Maybe they are keen to put up those pretty pretty crane Christmas lights?

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by phesto

They are installing several more sections to the crane today to raise it up. Looks likely that when they are finished, the crane will be high enough that it can swing a full 360 degrees without hitting the neighbouring buildings.

Thanks, that's what I thought would happen. I'll try to go have a look at it tomorrow. Gonna be one tall crane stem.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Gonna be one tall crane stem.

On the edge of a shotcrete wall (?!?)
... although there do look to be heavier anchor rods directly below the crane.

[Klazu]

The most talked about crane in town but undeniably unusual installation process.

[s211]

Originally Posted by officedweller

On the edge of a shotcrete wall (?!?)
... although there do look to be heavier anchor rods directly below the crane.

I'd like to see the insurer's reaction to that.

[phesto]

Originally Posted by officedweller

On the edge of a shotcrete wall (?!?)
... although there do look to be heavier anchor rods directly below the crane.

I walk by the site quite often. They spent the past month or two drilling and inserting some form of anchor/supports below where the tower crane is sited.