Potain cranes power high-rise build in downtown Wisconsin, USA

Two Potain tower cranes are playing a pivotal role in the construction of a transformative new high-rise at 109 E Wilson Street in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. The 14-story mixed-use development, led by contractor Findorff, will include 244 residential units, a rooftop pool terrace, a Sky Lounge, a high-end steakhouse, a seven-restaurant food hall with lakefront patio seating and a green roof. Sustainability is central to the design, which is targeting LEED Silver certification.

Two topless tower cranes, a Potain MDT 489 M25 and MDT 219 J10, are working on a 14-story mixed-use development just a few blocks from the state capitol.

Reynolds Rigging and Crane Service, specialty partner on the project, selected the Potain cranes specifically for their ability to work within both the spatial and aerial constraints of the site. “There was a very narrow set of parameters — both on the ground and in the air — that the cranes needed to fit within to complete the lifting work,” said Nathanael Reynolds, executive vice president, Reynolds. “We were able to help Findorff successfully plan the project with the only tools that could get the job done.”

Reynolds supplied the topless cranes to construction company Findorff because they could fit in the tight urban space and avoid strict airport flight path regulations.

The cranes, an MDT 489 M25 and an MDT 219 J10, were chosen for their topless design and space-saving efficiency. With a zero-lot footprint, a two-way street in front and railroad tracks behind, vertical reach was essential. At the same time, both cranes had to remain below a restricted flight path due to the site’s proximity to the Wisconsin State Capitol and a nearby airport.

Configured for maximum efficiency, the MDT 489 M25 stands at its maximum freestanding height of 232 feet with a 197-foot jib and was erected using a large mobile crane. The MDT 219 J10, assembled by the taller MDT 489 M25, features a 164-foot jib and will also be disassembled by its counterpart at project completion, streamlining costs and logistics. Both cranes offer automatic switching between two- and four-part line configurations from the cab, enhancing versatility and reducing downtime.

Reynolds emphasized the cranes’ sustainability benefits: “The cranes’ advanced power control systems optimize energy use, while their lightweight, modular components reduce transportation emissions and setup time. These machines are not only high-performance lifting solutions—they’re a smarter choice for a greener future.”