Two WOLFF tower cranes are playing a central role in the construction of the Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi Mosque, a new religious and community landmark taking shape on King Abdullah Road in central Riyadh.
Contractor Rowad Al Riyadh has deployed a WOLFF 6015.8 Clear tower crane with a hook height of 51 m, a 60-m jib radius and a maximum lifting capacity of 8 tonnes, alongside a WOLFF 7532.12 Cross featuring a 41.6-m hook height, a 70-m jib radius, and a 12-tonne lifting capacity. The cranes have been operating on site since March 2025.
The large, prefabricated facade elements and the complex roof design require exceptionally precise positioning. At the same time, the jibs must be designed with maximum reach in order to cover all areas of the roughly 10,000-sq-m construction site.
The mosque’s location next to a busy thoroughfare and metro station has demanded extensive logistical coordination and precision planning, with space constraints affecting every stage of construction.
Riyadh’s climate has posed further challenges, with high temperatures, dust, and afternoon storms impacting operations. Work schedules have been adapted to mitigate these risks and maintain consistent progress.
“As a result, many of the lifting operations are performed in the early morning or late afternoon hours for safety reasons, when the weather conditions are stable and traffic and pedestrian flows are low”, explains Tariq Al-Sawaie, Managing Director Wolffkran, Saudi Arabia, the local office of Switzerland-headquartered Wolffkran, a leading manufacturer of premium tower cranes.
Advanced technologies enhance site safety
Both cranes are equipped with WOLFF’s anti-collision technology, which automatically slows or stops cranes that come too close to nearby structures or each other. They also feature the WOLFF Link system, which provides live monitoring and alerts in real time for critical operating conditions.
During the planning stage, Wolffkran engineers conducted reach studies, defined safety zones, and fine-tuned jib and hook positions to maximise site coverage and minimise disruption to public areas. These measures, combined with the cranes’ reliability and performance, have helped maintain a streamlined construction process expected to continue through the fourth quarter of 2026.
A modern interpretation of tradition
Covering an area of approximately 5,300 sq m, the Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi Mosque will accommodate around 2,300 worshippers. Its architectural design draws inspiration from traditional Islamic desert tents, reimagined through modern forms featuring flowing roof shells, glass portals, and shaded forecourts.
The project reinforces Wolffkran’s growing footprint in Saudi Arabia and marks its first mosque collaboration with Rowad Al Riyadh.