Paulus: “No Comment” on Future Victory Lofts Commercial Tenants

A Syracuse developer won't say what he intends to do with an unfinished section of the Victory Lofts complex in Johnson City.

Most of the abandoned Endicott Johnson Shoe Company factory building on Lester Avenue was converted into apartments. But the top floor of the structure has remained empty, years after the residential section was completed.

When Matthew Paulus announced plans for a massive makeover of the century-old building in 2020, he said the project would create 7,500 square feet of commercial space.

Paulus has declined to discuss why a significant portion of the building remains vacant. For months, he did not respond to phone and email messages from WNBF News.

After a telephone message was left for Paulus this week, he sent an email reply: "We have no comment regarding your inquiry and story published December 29, 2025."

He did not reply to a follow-up email requesting information about work that was underway this week at the Ansco Lofts apartment complex on Emma Street in Binghamton. His company also owns that property.

Johnson City Mayor Christina Charuk this week indicated she hasn't spoken yet with Paulus about the future of the Victory Lofts building.

Charuk told WNBF News that she's "been in communication with some interested developers" regarding the Lester Avenue property. She said "there's potential for some great work to be happening" for potential commercial use of the building.

Before he left office last month, then-mayor Martin Meaney said he did not know why upper floor of the building remained unoccupied.

Meaney told WNBF News Paulus "had visions of one large commercial tenant for that space and it didn't come to fruition."

The Victory Lofts website still has a form to request information about "leasing a commercial space."

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A flashback to the abandoned property as it looked in November 2020.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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