2500KW Generator Placement Marks Project Milestone at 585 Kendall

More Than 70,000 Pounds of Critical Infrastructure Safely Placed at Kendall Square Life Sciences Project

McDonald Electrical Corporation recently reached another major project milestone at585 Kendall in Cambridge, Massachusetts, successfully completing the placement of critical generator infrastructure for the facility. The complex operation required extensive pre-planning, coordination, and precise execution to safely maneuver and position components weighing more than 70,000 pounds combined.

The lift included a 37,500-pound generator motor, 16,800-pound enclosure, and 16,000-pound base. Working alongside C.J. Shaughnessy Crane Service, Inc., the project team utilized one of the largest mobile cranes in the Northeast to safely position the equipment.

Planning and Coordination Behind the Lift

Complex equipment placements require collaboration long before the crane arrives on site. The McDonald Electrical team worked closely with project partners to coordinate logistics, equipment requirements, site conditions, and the electrical infrastructure needed to support the generator installation. Every phase of the operation required careful communication between field teams, project management, trade partners, and crane professionals to ensure the equipment could be safely lifted and positioned as planned. The successful generator placement demonstrates McDonald Electricals’ ability to support highly technical electrical installations on complex life sciences and research facilities.

Powering Critical Life Sciences Infrastructure

Generator systems play an essential role in supporting resilient building operations and critical infrastructure. At a sophisticated research and development facility like 585 Kendall, the successful placement of this equipment represents an important step toward project completion. The milestone also reflects McDonald Electricals’ full project lifecycle approach—from preconstruction planning and coordination to field execution and complex equipment installation.

Projects of this scale are made possible by the expertise, communication, and commitment of the entire project team. McDonald Electrical is proud to work alongside trusted partners who share our focus on safety, planning, and quality execution.

Watch the generator placement video to see this complex lift in action: