The Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi Mosque, a new architectural landmark rising along King Abdullah Road in central Riyadh, is taking shape with the support of two WOLFF tower cranes. Located beside one of the capital’s busiest roads and adjacent to a metro station, the construction site poses significant logistical challenges that demand meticulous planning and coordination.
Contractor Rowad al Riyadh is using a WOLFF 6015.8 Clear with a 51-meter hook height, 60-meter jib radius and 8-ton lifting capacity, alongside a WOLFF 7532.12 Cross offering a 41.6-meter hook height, 70-meter jib radius and a 12-ton lifting capacity. Both cranes have been in operation since March 2025, handling heavy prefabricated façade elements and the mosque’s complex roof structures.
With a construction footprint of roughly 10,000 m², the project requires long jibs and pinpoint accuracy. Space constraints due to heavy traffic, public walkways and nearby infrastructure further increase the complexity. Weather conditions in Riyadh add another layer of difficulty. “Many lifting operations are performed early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when temperatures drop and traffic is lighter,” explains Tariq Al-Sawaie, Managing Director of Wolffkran Ltd in Saudi Arabia.
To ensure safety, both cranes are equipped with anti-collision technology and the WOLFF Link remote monitoring system, which provides live activity data and real-time alerts. During the planning phase, Wolffkran teams conducted reach studies, defined safe operating zones and optimized jib configurations to maximize coverage while minimizing disruption to the surrounding area. The project is scheduled for completion in Q4 2026.
Covering approximately 5,300 m² with capacity for 2,300 worshippers, the mosque blends traditional Islamic forms with contemporary architecture, featuring tent-inspired roof shells, glass façades and shaded courtyards. The development strengthens Wolffkran’s growing presence in Saudi Arabia, marking its first mosque project in partnership with Rowad al Riyadh.
