The Circle (Portsmouth, Virginia)

The Circle was a historic commercial building and restaurant in Portsmouth, Virginia, designed by Dorothy Pebworth and constructed in 1947. It was originally built as a single-story, stuccoed concrete block building in the Moderne style, functioning as a curb-service restaurant before later becoming a dine-in restaurant. The building's distinctive half-circle shape in plan featured a prominent facade topped with a neon-lit sign carrying the restaurant's name. Its interior bar featured a mural attributed to Al Hirschfeld depicting mid-20th century celebrities. The Circle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006, but was demolished on August 19, 2013, and removed from the National Register in 2017. The building represents a mid-20th-century American roadside commercial architecture and dining culture, and its loss highlights preservation challenges for historic commercial structures.

The Circle was designed by Dorothy Pebworth and constructed in 1947 in Portsmouth, Virginia, as a single-story, stuccoed concrete block building in the Moderne style. It originally operated as a curb-service restaurant, where carhops served customers in their vehicles, and subsequently became a dine-in restaurant. The building's half-circle shape in plan was a defining architectural feature, with a prominent facade topped by a neon-lit sign carrying the restaurant's name. Inside, the bar area featured a mural attributed to Al Hirschfeld, depicting mid-20th century celebrities. In 2006, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its architectural and cultural significance. However, by 2013, the property faced sale or demolition, as reported by The Virginian-Pilot in March 2013. Despite its historic designation, the building was demolished on August 19, 2013, and was formally removed from the National Register in 2017. The site remains a notable example of mid-20th-century commercial architecture and the evolution of American dining culture.

• 2017

  The Circle was removed from the National Register of Historic Places.

• 2013

  The Circle was demolished on August 19, 2013.

• 2006

  The Circle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• 1947

  The Circle was constructed in Portsmouth, Virginia, designed by Dorothy Pebworth.

Mid-20th-century Moderne-style roadside restaurant with distinctive half-circle architecture and neon signage.

• Curb-service restaurant

  Original operation with carhops serving customers in vehicles.

• Dine-in restaurant

  Later operation as a sit-down restaurant.

1. 1The Circle (Portsmouth, Virginia) - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2The Circle (Portsmouth, Virginia) - Wikidatawikidata.org