The superstructure was erected using two boom derricks. One of them, with a capacity of , a mast, and a boom, lifted the steel beams from ground level to a 17th-story platform. The other was installed on the 17th floor and had a capacity of ; this derrick erected the tower's steel. Generally, it took less than five minutes to transfer the steel from ground level to the superstructure. German steel was used in the Singer Tower's framing because of Flagg's belief that German workmanship was better than that of Americans. The tower's superstructure was intended to withstand wind pressure of , even though the highest recorded wind pressure in the neighborhood was less than at the time of the Singer Building's construction.