Bennetts Cranes has successfully erected the UK’s first Liebherr 620 HC-L tower crane on the site of a new 168-room Marriott hotel development in York city centre.
The project marks the first UK installation of Liebherr’s latest generation luffing jib crane and the first deployment of the 620 HC-L unit secured by Bennetts following an agreement signed at Bauma 2025. Designed to meet the demands of modern construction sites, the crane combines high lifting performance with a compact footprint, making it particularly well suited to constrained urban developments.
The development is being constructed on the site of the former Banana Warehouse furniture store, a prominent location within York’s historic city walls. The project will transform the long-vacant site into a major new hotel destination…
Site challenges
The site presents a complex combination of space and lifting challenges. The crane is positioned just four metres from the edge of the building under construction, with neighbouring buildings and residential properties close by that cannot be oversailed. It also needs to lift precast concrete panels weighing up to 14 tonnes, requiring a solution that combines heavy lifting capacity with safe operation in a highly restricted space.
To meet these requirements, Bennetts selected the Liebherr 620 HC-L and configured it with a 45-metre jib specifically to suit the constraints of the project. The crane provides the lifting capacity required for demanding construction work while maintaining a compact working and out-of-service radius, helping maximise the available space on site.
Tracey Pockett, Director at Bennetts Cranes, explains:
Our investment in the Liebherr 620 HC-L reflects our commitment to expanding Bennetts’ high-capacity tower crane fleet with equipment that meets the demands of modern construction sites. The 620 HC-L gives customers the lifting power needed for complex projects, while helping them work safely and efficiently on sites where space is limited and oversailing must be carefully managed. It also supports more efficient installation and operation, making it a strong addition to our fleet.
”Liebherr’s support throughout the process has been very good, from enquiry through to build, with their technicians on site during erection to provide familiarisation training to the Bennetts team.
Liebherr 620 HC-L key features
Alongside its lifting capabilities, the 620 HC-L incorporates a range of features designed to improve efficiency during both installation and operation.
The crane’s intelligent control systems help optimise performance, while level-luffing and ‘Micromove’ support accurate load positioning. The crane also benefits from a design that simplifies assembly, including Liebherr’s pin-tower system and pre-installed rope reeving, helping reduce installation time on site.
These capabilities make the crane well suited to city-centre developments, regeneration projects and other construction sites where space, access and operational efficiency are critical considerations.
If you’re planning a project with heavy lifting needs combined with challenging access requirements, oversailing restrictions or limited site space, get in touch with the Bennetts team.
