The second crane (left) is almost ten metres higher than its 'little brother' — © Stadt Bocholt
The second crane (left) is almost ten metres higher than its "little brother"

© Stadt Bocholt
The town hall is already partially scaffolded, later the building will be scaffolded from all sides

© Stadt Bocholt
The crane was assembled this week from parts weighing several tonnes.

© Stadt Bocholt
Sandbags are placed in the river Aa to dry out the construction site

© Stadt Bocholt
Due to the ongoing partial closure of Berliner Platz, the city refers to surrounding car parks

26. February 2026Planning and building

Second tower crane erected on Berliner Platz

Town hall construction site: second XXL crane towers over Berliner Platz

This week, the second tower crane was successfully erected and put into operation on the construction site at the town hall. With a height of over 50 metres, it is around ten metres higher than the existing crane. The assembly marks an important step for further work on the building and the logistical development of Berliner Platz.

Delivery of the individual parts weighing several tonnes for the new XXL crane began on Tuesday, 24 February. A total of 16 lorry loads were required to transport the extensive material to Berliner Platz. The components were unloaded and assembled with the help of a large mobile crane. The new tower crane weighs around 200 tonnes including ballast. The new crane towers over its predecessor by around ten metres.

Visible progress has also been made directly on the town hall building, where some of the scaffolding has already been erected. In order to ensure that the structure is sufficiently stable, gravel was placed in the bed of the Bocholter Aa and in the Aa's circulation in advance. As soon as the existing sun louvres on the façade have been dismantled, the scaffolding will be successively built higher to enable the upcoming renovation work on the entire building envelope.

In addition to the crane assembly, work on installing the geothermal system is continuing. In order to keep to the tight time frame of the construction site, Berliner Platz will remain partially closed to public traffic for the time being.

However, it is planned to gradually open up individual sections as soon as the geothermal work in the respective areas has been completed. For visitors to the arcades, an area will remain open for car parking. The city council has taken particular care to ensure that car parks for people with disabilities remain accessible. The city asks for your understanding for this measure and refers to parking areas on the grounds of the former fire station (behind the Kinodrom), at the arcades and in front of the Mariengymnasium for the time being.