Crumbling Downtown Binghamton Eyesore Remains Untouched

A highly-visible derelict building in downtown Binghamton street continues to stand precariously on a busy street.

The three-story structure at 263 Washington Street has been languishing for more than a decade. Plans to restore the historic building have been on hold and there's been no indication of recent work at the site.

Mayor Jared Kraham now is indicating the city's patience is running out. He told WNBF News the owner of the building has been taken to court because of the lack of action on the property.

Kraham said "the city is prosecuting the owner to say . . . basically - either you fix this up, you pull construction permits for it - or you need to secure it or do something with the building."

The property is owned by Philmar Holdings LLC of New Paltz, which acquired the site for about $57,000 in 2009.

An online listing indicates the site now is being offered for sale with an asking price of $499,000. The building is believed to have been constructed between 1885 and 1891.

Representatives of the entity that owns the building could not be reached for comment about the status of the property.

A photo of the abandoned house was featured in a front page story in the Press & Sun-Bulletin in July 2016. The newspaper reported renovations would begin "later this summer."

In a radio interview, Mayor Kraham said he believes the building and the old Dixie Hotel on Henry Street are "the two biggest examples" of properties where renovations were promised but not made. He said "the city is taking enforcement efforts against both."

A Binghamton listing of local landmark properties describes the structure at 263 Washington Street - which was known as "The Kenmore" - as a "good example of a late 19th century apartment building."

That document - which was last updated in 2013 - said despite "its deteriorated physical condition, the building retains considerable historic integrity."

In 2017, then-mayor Richard David told WNBF News "something needs to be done about that building." He said if the owners won't renovate the place, "we might need to move in another direction."

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A two-minute examination of the exterior of the building at 263 Washington Street as it appeared on May 21, 2025.

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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.