Thackray Crane recently played a key role in upgrading the Residence Inn by Marriott at East Penn Square in Center City Philadelphia. The project involved the removal and replacement of three large rooftop HVAC chillers—an essential improvement to ensure the hotel maintains optimal guest comfort year-round.

To tackle the complexities of the lift, Thackray Crane utilized its Liebherr LTM 1400-7.1 all-terrain crane, a 500-ton powerhouse designed for precision and heavy lifting in tight urban environments. This crane’s impressive capacity and maneuverability were crucial for safely navigating Philadelphia’s bustling streets and hoisting the units more than a dozen stories above the city.

Thackray Crane provided a full-service approach, managing every phase of the project from initial planning to final execution. Before the lift, the team conducted a thorough site evaluation, identifying challenges related to the downtown location and rooftop access. Drawing on their extensive experience with urban lifts, they crafted a comprehensive lift plan to maximize safety and efficiency.

To streamline operations, Thackray Crane also offered secure warehouse storage for the new chillers, keeping them off-site until installation. This proactive measure minimized congestion at the job location and ensured smooth logistics.

Executing a lift in a high-traffic area like East Penn Square demands careful coordination. Thackray Crane took charge of all necessary safety and traffic control measures, including securing police assistance, managing street closures, and establishing detour plans. These efforts helped maintain a safe work environment while minimizing disruptions to nearby businesses and pedestrians.

Beyond lifting, Thackray Crane also handled transportation for both the old and new chillers. Their in-house trucking team transported the outgoing units from the site and delivered the replacements directly from their warehouse—eliminating the need for third-party carriers and streamlining the process with a single point of contact.

A project of this scale requires a highly skilled and well-coordinated crew. Thackray Crane’s experienced team—including CCO-certified crane operators, oilers, truck drivers, and logistics specialists—worked seamlessly to execute the lift safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

By combining expert crane services with warehousing, transportation, and project management, Thackray Crane once again demonstrated its ability to provide comprehensive lifting solutions, even in the most challenging environments.

Thackray Crane takes pride in being a trusted partner for complex projects throughout Philadelphia and beyond—delivering the people, equipment, and expertise needed to get the job done right.