Two Wolffkran tower cranes are playing a central role in the construction of the Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi Mosque, a major new religious and community landmark rising along the busy King Abdullah Road in central Riyadh. The contractor, Rowad al Riyadh, selected the cranes to meet the project’s demanding lifting requirements and the complex constraints of the site, which sits next to a metro station and one of the capital’s most trafficked corridors.
To support the construction works across the roughly 10,000 m² site, Rowad al Riyadh has deployed a WOLFF 6015.8 Clear with a hook height of 51 metres, a 60-metre jib and 8-tonne lifting capacity, alongside a WOLFF 7532.12 Cross with a 41.6-metre hook height, 70-metre jib and 12-tonne capacity. Both cranes have been operating on site since March 2025.
The project’s complex architecture — including large prefabricated façade elements and distinctive roof structures — requires exceptionally precise crane operation. With no room for error, planners needed maximum reach from both cranes to cover all areas of the site while preventing interference with surrounding infrastructure.
The location also presents operational challenges. High temperatures, dust and unpredictable afternoon storms require careful scheduling of lifting operations.
“Many of the lifting operations are performed in the early morning or late afternoon hours for safety reasons, if the weather conditions are stable and traffic and pedestrian flows are low,” said Tariq Al-Sawaie, Managing Director, Wolffkran Ltd, Saudi Arabia.
Both cranes are equipped with anti-collision systems and WOLFF Link, enabling automatic slowdown and stop functions when obstacles are detected, along with live monitoring and real-time alerts. Wolffkran’s team also conducted detailed reach studies during the planning phase, defining safety zones and optimising jib and hook positions to ensure full site coverage while minimising disruption to public areas.
The mosque itself is being constructed on a footprint of approximately 5,300 m² and will accommodate around 2,300 worshippers. Its design draws inspiration from traditional desert tent structures, reinterpreted with striking modern roof shells, glass portals and shaded forecourts. For Wolffkran, this project marks an important milestone in its Saudi portfolio and its first mosque development in partnership with Rowad al Riyadh.
Construction is scheduled to continue until the fourth quarter of 2026.
