Early in the morning on March 31, 2025, two 250-ton mobile cranes from Nordic Crane were ready to move a piece of Stavanger’s city history: a 19-ton concrete wall featuring a relief by Andreas Bøe. First, the cranes lifted the artwork into the new Nytorget 1, followed by a large glass roof to protect it from the elements.

Millimeter Precision
The lift took one and a half hours from the initial rig to the wall being in place. With just five millimeters of clearance for the mounting, there was no room for error. The operation was planned over several weeks:

  • Crane operators: Andre Larsen and Kristian Lorentzen Mansåker
  • Equipment: Two 250 t mobile cranes, specially designed shackles and straps
  • Crew: Several experts from Nordic Crane participated in the planning and execution

After the relief was installed, the second lift followed: a large glass roof to cover the atrium above the artwork.

Important Cultural Heritage
The relief had adorned the lobby of Stavanger Police Headquarters for many years. When the entire block was set to be demolished, the wall was carefully cut out and stored in a climate-controlled container, awaiting a new home. That home will now be Mediebyen, and the artwork will serve as a visual highlight for employees and visitors alike when the building is completed in 2026.

“This was definitely an exciting project, which required more than just lifting capacity. Careful planning was essential—both in terms of safety and execution,” said regional manager Tom Helge Espeland at Nordic Crane.

Teamwork at Height
While one crane lifted the wall from the container, the other swung in overhead and took over the load mid-air. The transfer happened while the concrete wall was suspended three meters above ground.

“We often perform heavy lifts, but rarely with both cultural heritage status and five-millimeter clearance,” Espeland added. “That’s when you need to trust both the equipment and each other.”

Ready for the Next Stage
With the relief and glass roof safely in place, the building shell continues to rise. By spring 2026, Nytorget 1 will host open editorial environments, TV studios, and public spaces. For Nordic Crane, the assignment confirmed its role as a specialist in precision lifts in dense urban environments.

Project Information