The Professional Building on Lisbon Street in Lewiston opened as the Manufacturers National Bank Building in December 1914. 2014 Sun Journal file photo

LEWISTON — Jim and Rebecca Henry bought the Professional Building at 145 Lisbon St. last month in a deal that was a year in the making.

The Manufacturers National Bank Building opened in December 1914. Now called the Professional Building, it has a total of 70 business suites. Submitted photo

Josh Soley, a principal at Maine Realty Advisors, said Tuesday that he first approached former owner Jeremy Chapman a year ago, asking if he’d have any interest in selling the eight-story, nearly 21,000-square-foot building at Lisbon and Ash streets.

The two were too far away initially, but six months later agreed on $505,000.

Soley said he approached Jim Henry of Remington Street Properties, a developer he’s worked with several times, to see if he was interested in investing. After a tour, Henry was in.

“Jim, who’s been active in buying with us, said, ‘I want this one for myself,'” Soley said.

Short- and long-range plans are being drawn up now to replace windows and the roof, build a more efficient elevator and improve the facade.

The building is 90% occupied and has 70 small offices, eight to 10 per floor, Soley said. The goal moving ahead is to get one tenant to take an entire floor.

“There’s a lot of action in Lewiston,” he said. “We like Lisbon Street the most.”

This story was originally published as part of “New Aroma Joe’s for Sabattus Street, new investment for Lisbon Street.” Have a Buzzable tip? Contact staff writer Kathryn Skelton at 689-2844 or kskelton@sunjournal.com.