Complex Crane Engineering at 1 Victoria Street, London

13.05.2026 | Press Release

A nine - crane scheme delivered in multiple phases

The project began with demolition works undertaken by our client, Keltbray. To support operations on the confined and complex site, a WOLFF 355 B (TC0) was deployed to lift a range of demolition plant and materials. Throughout the programme, the tower crane handled key items including excavators, tracked loaders, dumpers, heavy skips, generators, and structural steel. Its combination of reach, lifting capacity, and precision proved essential for safely positioning heavy and awkward loads.

Following demolition, four tower cranes were installed at B2 level for our client Mace Construct to support slipforming and early superstructure works.

The installation sequence required meticulous coordination. As the demolition crane remained in service longer than anticipated, TC2 was initially erected at a reduced height to prevent any potential clash. Once TC0 was dismantled, TC2 was climbed to its full working height.

As construction progresses, the basement slab will be cast around the crane bases, leaving only the tower openings accessible.

In the next major phase, scheduled for late 2026, the crane scheme will move to the roof. Two WOLFF 630 B and two WOLFF 355 B luffing jib cranes will take over lifting operations for the upper floors and installation of the cladding and building services.

Engineering Challenges Below Ground

Installing cranes at B2 level on legacy foundations presented a significant engineering challenge. The foundations of the old building are being reused without re‑piling, so each crane had to be positioned directly over the original foundation points. As a result, the usual method of anchoring into concrete base foundations was not suitable in this case.

To overcome this, WOLFFKRAN deployed the WOLFF cross frame system. This system is unique in that it allows each of the four legs to be extended to varying lengths, anywhere between six and ten metres for each crane. The entire crane tower was also rotated to align with the available bearing points of the existing foundations below.

For TC2, the constraints were particularly demanding: four different leg lengths were required on a single cross-frame base to achieve correct alignment with the available support points. This configuration demonstrated the full capability of the WOLFF cross frame system to accommodate highly irregular legacy structures.

Planning for Dismantling

One of the most demanding aspects of the project still lies ahead. The basement slabs are being cast very close to the crane tower above, effectively enclosing the cruciform and ballast. This means these components cannot be removed in the usual way using a mobile crane.

WOLFFKRAN will have very limited headroom and working space in the basement. To address this, a combination of ceiling hoists, low‑level forklifts and skating systems will be used to extract the central ballast blocks and cross frame in a controlled and measured manner. This will ensure a safe removal process and allow all crane components to be taken out of the building.

The Vision for 1 Victoria Street

When complete, 1 Victoria Street will provide a modern, low carbon office environment while retaining 52% of the original 1960s structure. The development will offer high quality office space and active ground floor retail, integrated into the historic surroundings near the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey. Occupation is planned for early 2028.

WOLFFKRAN’s involvement - from demolition support to the adaptable WOLFF cross frame system - has been central to enabling construction on this highly constrained site, ensuring safe, efficient, and sustainable crane operations throughout the project.