VIP building apartments in 2nd phase of The Post redevelopment

SYRACUSE — The second phase of VIP Structures’ adaptive reuse of The Post building involves a $17.6 million project to construct 72 new one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. The Post, which is now home to VIP’s headquarters, is the former home of The Post-Standard newspaper and its one-time printing operations. The Post is the building across from Clinton Square that encompasses much of the entire block that’s bordered by North Salina Street, West Genesee Street, South Clinton Street, and Herald Place. VIP started demolition work inside The Post back in May, says Chuck Wallace, president of VIP Development Associates, Inc., who spoke with CNYBJ in a Sept. 5 phone interview. “Since then, we’ve started [transitioning] to actual construction,” he notes.

VIP is the contractor, the architect, the engineer, the developer, and the property manager as well, Wallace tells CNYBJ. Wallace also represented the company in a Feb. 25 public hearing before the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency and spoke in favor of the project. The first phase of the project focused on the south end of the structure, or the one that faces Clinton Square. That effort included development of VIP’s office space. Crews are constructing the apartments in the building’s former industrial printing space. “It’s kind of a high bay area where we’re adding a floor in the middle and adding two floors of apartments in the area where their original press was,” says Wallace. He says VIP originally intended to attract an industrial tenant for the area where crews are now building apartments, but the company couldn’t secure such a tenant. It then decided to pivot toward apartments knowing that Syracuse needs housing. “There’s a real need for housing in the downtown area and the county and surrounding areas in general, we thought we could create value and have a really good project by pivoting and going to apartments,” he says, noting the company decided to focus on building apartments in The Post in 2024. VIP anticipates putting half the apartments on the market for leasing in May 2026 and the other half will be available in July 2026. The firm won’t start accepting applications for apartment until the first quarter of 2026, he notes. “Averaging around 750 square feet, the units are tailored for modern living and will be supported by a suite of resident amenities: a fitness center, pet wash station, community lounge, business center, bike storage, tenant storage, and ample on-site parking,” VIP Structures said on its website, explaining the apartment project.