What: 155 Shepard St.
Where: Lawrence
Owner: The Seyon Group
Built: 1965 

The next occupant of the former Crown Cork & Seal manufacturing plant in Lawrence will invest over $30 million in building improvements to accommodate a pair of industrial laundries employing 350 people. 

Elmsford, New York-based Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services signed a full building lease for 188,653 square feet. It’s expanding the building to increase clear heights from 17 to 32 feet to accommodate a pair of laundries, one for hospitals and nursing homes, and the other for outpatient medical centers. Completion is scheduled for summer 2020. 

The project will more than triple the number of jobs at the 155 Shepard St. property from under the previous owner, beverage can manufacturer Crown, Cork & Seal, which shuttered its factory last year. 

Colliers International Boston represented Unitex, which was seeking heavy water and power infrastructure and minimum 30-foot clear heights, in the lease negotiation. 

They Said It: 

“We purchased the asset based on our belief that we could create a best in class industrial facility through adaptive reuse of the existing elements and performing a full-scale roof raise to 32 feet clear. We are thrilled that Unitex shared our vision and acted as an excellent partner in executing a long-term commitment to the building and bringing new jobs to Lawrence.” 

—Bryan Blake, managing partner, The Seyon Group