Samson Shadowed By Belfast's Tallest Crane

Belfast has been 'put in the shade' by the largest crane to ever be erected in the city.

Towering above the city centre skyline, the 106-metre structure was installed last week, to help construct the capital's tallest building.

Raising the massive crane took almost three day to complete.

Work on The Obel building, (artist's impression, pictured) on the banks of the River Lagan, is well underway.

Karl Properties Ltd is the firm behind the scheme. Developer Aran Blackbourne said: "You can see it from everywhere.

"It's the tallest building in Belfast so it's going to have to be the tallest crane."

It will take another 24 months for the entire 28-storey scheme to be completed.

The building will include 282 apartments, penthouses and studios, offering a breathtaking view across the city.

Contractors O'Hare and McGovern said the huge crane had been commissioned from an English firm especially for this project.

The only other Belfast structure offering a similarly dizzying height is Harland & Wolff's iconic Samson shipyard crane.

O'Hare and McGovern Construction Manager Martin Lennon said: "The guys on the site said they had a sore neck looking up at it - you have to stand away to see it."

Although the crane can be operated remotely there is a fear-inducing climb for operatives when physical manpower is required.

The rise of the crane marks the completion of work on the foundations of the building, including a two-basement car park.

"We're starting the superstructure from the ground up and the erection of the crane was the commencement of that," added Mr Lennon.

(PR/JM)