Even when they’re on the ground, tower cranes are cool.
West Crane will always be able to sneer at East Crane with a knowing, I-Was-Born-First smirk. But only by a couple of days. No sooner had construction crews rooted the first crane into the ground, the second one found a rebar bed of its own.
As one does when it’s about 10 degrees outside, dedicated skyscraper nerds (skyscraperds?) hung around Thursday afternoon to watch West Tower reach sky-cab status. Meanwhile, Eastie’s resting comfortably in place, waiting for concrete to be poured into its foundation.
There’s also the matter of the large hole in the middle of the site, that everyone but me seemed to be allowed to climb into. Unfair.
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- The Navy Pier Ferris wheel creates a backdrop for West Crane assembly.
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- Your cab awaits.
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- More parts. I don’t know what they’re called, but I bet they’re important.
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- East Crane can only watch for now. Like the rest of us.
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- The cab has been readied for moving.
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- And now the climb back to the top begins.
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- Taking a breather. That’s a lot of stairs.
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- The four crewmen have climbed to the top, and are now hailing a cab.
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- And here it comes.
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- Almost there.
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- The four crewmen secure the cab in place atop the stem.
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- And there it is. West Crane has a cab.
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- Another angle of East Crane.
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- The pool’s almost filled.
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- Now…
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- …..about that fortified hole in the ground.
Building Up Chicago 