Five Potain tower cranes support construction of eco-district in southern France

• Five advanced Potain MDT topless tower cranes are deployed to support the fast-paced construction of the Canebiers-Villette eco-district in southern France.

• The cranes feature Manitowoc’s Crane Control System and Potain CONNECT telematics for enhanced coordination, real-time monitoring, and productivity.

• Local dealer GMCA provides expert support with a large fleet of Potain cranes and extensive customer services.

• The eco-district project incorporates sustainable construction methods including low-carbon concrete, renewable energy covering 60% of heating and cooling, grey water reuse, solar panels, and extensive green roofing.

• Latest-generation Potain topless tower cranes deliver high performance and efficiency on constrained, fast-paced jobsite.

• All five cranes feature advanced technology, including Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS) and Potain CONNECT™ telematics for optimized coordination and productivity.

• The Canebiers-Villette development is employing industry-leading sustainable construction methods.

Five new-generation Potain tower cranes are supporting the construction of Canebiers-Villette, an eco-district under development in Cagnes-sur-Mer, in the south of France. The project began last year and is transforming the area into a modern, sustainable urban space combining residential, commercial, and community facilities.

To meet the project’s demanding schedule and tight site constraints, Potain dealer Grues et Matériels Côte d’Azur (GMCA) is using a fleet of Potain MDT topless tower cranes. The lineup includes two MDT 269 cranes, an MDT 319, an MDT 219, and an MDT 109 that will soon join the site.

The Potain cranes were selected for their strong performance in fast-paced applications and their ability to operate efficiently in tight spaces with multiple cranes on site. Their topless design enables structural specialist Da Mota Construction to optimize hook heights within a limited vertical space, minimizing the mast sections required for each crane and simplifying transport and installation.

One MDT 269 has a 31 m hook height and a 65 m jib; and working above it is an MDT 219 at 36 m height with a 55 m jib. The other MDT 269 is at 46 m with a 55 m jib, and the MDT 319 is at 56 m height with a 65 m jib. This unit also features a Potain Cab-IN operator lift.

“The site organization, the positioning of the cranes, and their reliability and productivity allow us to meet the tight schedule. The structural work is progressing at the desired pace, to the great satisfaction of the customer,” said Xavier Bochet, director of GMCA.

All cranes have Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS), enabling easy configuration and commissioning, as well as advanced coordination. They also feature Potain CONNECT™ telematics, for real-time monitoring and remote diagnostics to maximize uptime and productivity. In addition to the Cab-IN lift on the MDT 319, the other cranes also have operator lifts to improve access and jobsite efficiency.

Expertise from a local partner

Long-standing Potain partner GMCA is a joint venture between Riviera Montage and Pistachi, two well-known companies on the Côte d'Azur, with an excellent reputation. GMCA operates more than 180 tower cranes, the majority of them from Potain, and provides a full range of customer support services, backed by Potain’s extensive offerings. Its experienced team supports complex, high-profile projects across the region.

Once completed, the Canebiers-Villette eco-district will feature 485 housing units, offices, restaurants, shops, parking, and extensive green areas to promote sustainable urban living. The development incorporates multiple environmentally friendly features, including low-carbon concrete to reduce CO2 emissions by 8,500 t; renewable energy systems covering 60% of heating and cooling needs; and grey water reuse for irrigation. In addition, there will be 850 m2 of solar panels, and more than 5,300 m2 of roof area will be vegetated.