J.C. Cannistraro, the area’s largest mechanical construction firm, is making an important shift.

The firm announced a consolidation effort this month that involves relocating its manufacturing and warehousing operations in Wilmington, Watertown and Stoughton to Boston’s Seaport District.

Cannistraro has completed the execution of a 50-year ground lease with the City of Boston’s Economic Development and Industrial Corp for Parcel N, 25 Fid Kennedy Ave.

The 3.5-acre site with a two-story, 157k SF building is part of the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Industrial Park.

Cannistraro will substantially rehabilitate the property for use as a prefabrication and assembly plant for plumbing, fire protection, HVAC piping and sheet metal systems that will be installed at construction sites throughout the region.

The move is expected to generate a significant amount of jobs for Boston residents.

Historically known as “Building 16,” 25 Fid Kennedy Ave was built in 1940 by the US Navy as a multi-trade heavy machine shop.  The open, steel-frame structure and 40-ton overhead crane capacity facilitated large-scale metal fabrication and assembly supporting the US efforts in WWII.

“The renovations at 25 Fid Kennedy Ave will preserve the legacy of its industrial Art Deco architecture and utilitarian use,” founder John Cannistraro tells Bisnow. “We are proud to showcase the craftsmanship of local tradespeople, and to advocate continuous improvement and best practices within the construction community.”

The move enables Cannistraro to apply green building technologies, lean manufacturing principles and modular building methods to its upcoming projects. A significant amount of flex space within the facility will be available for innovative projects in collaboration with industry partners.

Cannistraro is expected to occupy 25 Fid Kennedy Ave in September 2017.  The company’s corporate offices will remain in Watertown, MA.