The Circle (Portsmouth, Virginia) Explained

The Circle
Designated Other1:Virginia Landmarks Register
Designated Other1 Date:December 7, 2005[1]
Designated Other1 Number:124-5089
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Coordinates:36.8367°N -76.3386°W
Architect:Morgan, Dorothy P.
Builder:Culpepper, R.A. and Son
Architecture:Moderne
Added:March 8, 2006
Delisted:February 7, 2017
Delisted Other1 Date:September 15, 2016
Refnum:06000120

The Circle was a historic building in Portsmouth, Virginia designed by Dorothy Pebworth and constructed in 1947 - as a single story, stuccoed concrete block building in the Moderne style - originally as a curb-service restaurant, subsequently becoming a dine-in restaurant.[2]

The building's half-circle shape (in plan) featured a prominent facade topped with a neon-lit sign carrying the restaurant's name. It's interior bar featured a mural attributed to Al Hirschfeld of mid-20th century celebrities.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006, the building was demolished on August 19, 2013[3] and removed from the National Register in 2017.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Virginia Landmarks Register. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 19 March 2013.
  2. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: The Circle . Kimble A. David. August 2005. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying four photos
  3. http://hamptonroads.com/2013/08/photos-portsmouths-circle-restaurant-torn-down "Photos | Portsmouth's Circle Restaurant torn down," By Brian Clark, The Virginian-Pilot, August 20, 2013