Liebherr Luffing Cranes Take Bratislava’s Tallest Tower to New Heights
In the heart of Bratislava, a skyline transformation is underway. As the fifth and final jewel of the Skypark complex rises, three engineering marvels from Liebherr are taking centre stage—literally and figuratively. It’s not just another construction job; it’s a landmark moment, marking the first-ever deployment of a Liebherr HC-L luffing jib crane in Slovakia.
Designed by the late, great Zaha Hadid, Skypark is a testament to futuristic architecture and sustainable urban planning. The final tower, Skypark Tower, now under construction, promises to be a defining silhouette on Bratislava’s horizon, thanks in no small part to Liebherr’s crane technology pushing limits skyward.
Slovakia gets its first HC-L luffing jib crane
Talk about firsts—the project marks a debut for the Liebherr 190 HC-L luffing jib crane in Slovakian soil. Shipped directly from the Tower Crane Center in Bad Waldsee, Germany, the crane was delivered brand spanking new. Its starting height? A respectable 60 metres. But it’s not stopping there. By the time construction tops out, this crane will have climbed to an eye-watering hook height of 145 metres.
Why the HC-L? In urban settings like Bratislava’s revitalised city centre, space is tight, timelines are tighter, and precision is non-negotiable. Luffing jib cranes are engineered for such environments, offering superior slewing clearance and vertical reach. As demand for vertical builds increases across European cities, the deployment of luffing jib cranes is also accelerating.
Three giants, one towering task
While the HC-L grabs headlines, it’s joined on site by two more Liebherr powerhouses. The 150 EC-B 8 Litronic, boasting a 45-metre jib, has grown from a starting height of 66 metres to now stand proudly at 145 metres. Meanwhile, the 110 EC-B 6, with a compact 32.5-metre jib, is operating at a final hook height of 57.7 metres.
Together, these cranes form a high-rise trio managed by Skanska Slovakia, the construction heavyweight overseeing the tower’s build. Supporting the effort is Kranimex, Liebherr’s Slovakian dealer, who provided the necessary tower sections, adapters, and climbing gear. The Bratislava-based company doesn’t just supply cranes; it also offers a full-service package, from rentals to maintenance and spare parts.
Modular solutions for modern cities
One key reason Liebherr continues to win major urban contracts? Modularity. The cranes on-site are perfectly suited for the unique demands of Bratislava’s city centre development. Each unit is equipped to climb as the building rises, a vital feature when constructing on a constrained footprint.
“The ability to incrementally extend the height of our cranes is indispensable in dense city environments,” a Liebherr spokesperson noted. “It ensures efficient material flow and safe operation without disrupting neighbouring structures.”
That modular adaptability translates to cost savings, fewer delays, and a smaller environmental impact—three critical checkboxes for modern infrastructure projects.
A tower built for the future
So, what’s going up? Skypark Tower is a sleek 120-metre-high mixed-use structure with 30 floors of Grade A office space. The building is geared toward attracting global firms, offering 55,000 square metres of floor space built to the highest sustainability standards.
Notably, the Skypark project isn’t just about steel and glass. It’s part of a wider master plan to create a liveable, green, and vibrant city core. The surrounding development integrates public plazas, green zones, residential areas, and leisure spaces—a textbook case in holistic urban regeneration.
Zaha Hadid’s architectural fingerprint can be seen in the tower’s fluid lines and aerodynamic form, designed to optimise light exposure and reduce wind resistance. It’s not just pretty—it’s pragmatic.
Shaping the capital’s identity
The Skypark project is more than just a feather in Bratislava’s construction cap. It marks a shift in how the city perceives urban development. From low-rise sprawl to sky-reaching structures, the Slovakian capital is embracing density, design, and digitalisation in equal measure.
“Skypark is the embodiment of a modern Bratislava,” said a representative from Skanska Slovakia. “It reflects our ambition to be a European capital of innovation and liveability.”
Indeed, this isn’t just about office space. It’s about setting a new bar for what Slovakian construction can achieve when bold design meets precision engineering.
Engineering excellence that builds trust
Liebherr’s involvement in this landmark project is no accident. With a legacy of engineering precision and a global reputation for quality, the German giant has long been the crane of choice for challenging builds.
From wind turbine farms to urban mega-projects, Liebherr’s tower cranes are synonymous with reliability and innovation. In Bratislava, their machines aren’t just lifting tonnes of concrete and steel—they’re lifting expectations.
Eyes to the skyline
With three Liebherr cranes orchestrating the rise of Bratislava’s tallest building, all eyes are on the skyline. It’s a bold statement of architectural ambition and engineering prowess, wrapped up in one striking silhouette.
As Skypark Tower approaches its final form, it stands not just as a commercial hub, but as a symbol of what’s possible when vision meets execution. For the city, it’s a new chapter. For Liebherr, it’s another proud milestone.
