Image courtesy of National Development

A 1.1 million-square-foot development along South Boston’s Dorchester Avenue will be known as “Iron Works” as a nod to the neighborhood’s industrial past, National Development announced.

The Newton-based developer is partnering with AEW Capital Management on the four-building complex spanning two blocks.

Redevelopment of the former Cole Hersee factory will bring retail tenants include a Tatte Bakery production kitchen and cafe scheduled to open in October, a Castle Island Brewing Co. location that opens on Thursday, Rock Spot Climbing, b/spoke spin studio and Freight Farms’ new headquarters and showroom. Future tenants include a 21,000-square-foot pickleball and restaurant concept PKL and dumpling cafe Mei Mei, both of which are scheduled to open in spring 2022.

The ground-up construction development includes four buildings containing 650,000 square feet of life science space and two multifamily buildings on 6.5 acres, projected for an early 2022 groundbreaking, National Development said, pending final approvals.

Boston-based KHJ Brand Activation was consultant to developers on the branding strategy, which references the site’s history as the former home of the South Boston Iron Works foundry in the 19th century.