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Five Virginia Brands Who Brought New Life To Vacant Banks

Updated: Jan 14

The bricks and mortar surrounding a business are more than just materials, their decades of stories seep into a brand and give it layers of flavor like a well used cast iron pan. So when a new business forms in the shell of an unloved building, there’s always aged character baked into the new brand.

Through adaptive reuse and renovation, lifeless buildings can be brought back from the dead with new identities and revitalized purpose—and sometimes spark life in a whole community.

Here are stories of five businesses in Virginia that were once banks, but are now lively spots for restaurants and hotels.





Brick building entrance with white columns and sign "FOODE." Two lanterns flank the door, decorated with wreaths and bows. A person is nearby.
Foode // Fredericksburg, VA

Fredericksburg, Virginia

With origins as the Farmers’ Bank of Fredericksburg in 1820, the Federal style building of the National Bank of Fredericksburg building operated as the financial hub for almost 194 years. Steeped in history, President Abraham Lincoln spoke from its steps during the civil war. After closing its doors, this vacant bank building was renovated into the local restaurant, Foode, in 2011.







The elegant interior of the Liberty Trust Hotel which still features the ornate bronze vault doors, white columns, hanging chandeliers, and wooden furniture.
The Liberty Trust Hotel // Roanoke, VA

Roanoke, Virginia


Built in a French Renaissance style back in 1910, this seven-story building first operated as the First National Bank before becoming the Liberty Trust Building in the 1920’s. After sitting vacant for several years, the building reopened in 2022 as the 54-room Liberty Trust boutique hotel. The bank's history inspired the brand for this Virginia hotel, which includes the bank’s vault being repurposed as The Vault restaurant.







Stone building with white columns and "King Street Oyster Bar" sign. Blue awnings. People dining under blue umbrellas outside on a sunny day.
King Street Oyster Bar // Middleburg, VA

Middleburg, Virginia


The Neoclassical style building of Middleburg National Bank first opened in 1924 within the small town of Middleburg. After the bank shuttered in the early 2000’s, the building was repurposed into a gourmet deli before becoming the King Street Oyster Bar in 2017.







The interior of the Lightfoot Restaurant shows a grand hall with ornate ceiling and chandeliers, featuring a wooden balcony and vintage posters on the walls. Warm lighting creates an elegant atmosphere.
Lightfoot Restaurant // Leesburg, VA

Leesburg, Virginia


The People’s Bank is a Romanesque Revival style building built in 1888 by Smithmeyer and Pelz—the same architects as the Library of Congress. The bank operated in Loudoun County for close to 50 years, but by the 1990’s it had fallen into disrepair. Then in 1999, the bank was refurbished as the Lightfoot Restaurant.







Historic building with "Union Bank 1870" facade, beige and red details. Outdoor cafe under umbrellas. Clear sky and hanging flowers nearby.
The Union Jack Pub // Winchester, VA

Winchester, Virginia


The Union Bank, a Victorian Italianate style building, opened in 1870 and served the people of Old Town Winchester for generations before being modernized in the 1970’s with new aluminum facade. After sitting vacant for a decade, however, the original bank facade was brought back to life and was transformed into the British pub, The Union Jack, in 2009.







 

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