PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A downtown Portsmouth landmark that closed its doors on Super Bowl Sunday is set for a new chapter.
Roger Brown's Restaurant & Bar closed on Sunday after Super Bowl LX.
Roger Brown’s Restaurant and Sports Bar has been purchased by Lightwell Development, whose owner said plans call for a mix of restaurant and residential space at the site.
The restaurant bore the name of Surry County native Roger Brown, who played in the NFL for years and went to six Pro Bowls. He retired in Portsmouth and opened several restaurants before passing away in September 2021.
Tim Foley, owner and principal of Lightwell Development, said his firm acquired the building after restaurant partners approached him and architects developed preliminary design plans. The property also qualified for the state’s historic tax credit program, which helps offset renovation costs.
“It reimburses you via tax credits for a percentage of what you spend to improve the building,” Foley said.
According to design documents submitted to the city’s Downtown Design Committee, the first floor will remain restaurant space in the front of the building, with apartment units planned for the rear. Additional residential units are planned for the upper floors.
Foley said the company is working with the city’s zoning and planning departments to complete required approvals. He hopes construction will begin in April.
The redevelopment of the Roger Brown’s building is part of a broader investment in downtown Portsmouth. Foley said he also purchased 330 County St., where he plans to create 23 apartment units.
Foley said the projects will add about 50 market-rate units and bring an estimated 75 residents to the downtown area.
Combined with other nearby holdings, including a building at the corner of High and Washington streets that was completed and fully leased in 2024.
Foley credited local partnerships for the company’s continued investment in Portsmouth.
“It really takes a lot of individuals in the community to help,” he said. “We can’t do any of this by ourselves without integrating into the local community. Portsmouth Partnership has been vital in helping us connect with the local community, retail, commercial, and just different individuals.”
Foley said he believes the additional housing and commercial space will drive more foot traffic and spending in the city’s downtown corridor.
Renovation timelines will depend on final approvals, but Foley said he is optimistic work will get underway in April.
Watch previous coverage: Crowd packs Roger Brown's restaurant on final night in Portsmouth
Developer Tim Foley has already bought the building, according to the owner of Roger Brown's, Curtis Lyons. This is not the first Portsmouth property purchased by Foley. News 3 previously reported that he bought the historic building at the corner of High Street and Washington Street.
Foley is from Virginia but now works out of New York City. He's previously invested $15 million in several old buildings in Portsmouth.
Watch previous coverage: What's in store for downtown Portsmouth?
In a previous interview with News 3, Foley said his goal is to boost Portsmouth's downtown and eventually mesh it with the waterfront.
"I think Portsmouth has the opportunity to really do that and do it well, and I think when that happens you'll see really cool and interesting development plays happening on the waterfront, and I really think it could be one of the better ones in the seven cities," said Foley.
