Virginia Main Street

This blog post serves as a follow-up to the previously published Historic Hotel in South Boston to Be Redeveloped article.

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In 2022, Virginia Main Street announced that the former John Randolph Hotel in downtown South Boston, Virginia, would be redeveloped as a major anchor project, thereby strengthening the vitality and long-term economic health of the historic commercial district. That vision is now significantly closer to realization.

On January 14, 2026, a groundbreaking ceremony marked an important milestone in the project’s progress, signaling the transition from planning and visioning to active redevelopment. This moment represents a major step forward for downtown South Boston and underscores the continued momentum behind transformative investment in the community’s historic core.

Originally opened in the early 1900s, the historic John Randolph Hotel served the community for decades before closing in the 1990s. The property was later acquired by Julian and Karie Brittano, whose firm, The Brittano Group, through its hospitality subsidiary, The Rook Hotels, entered into a redevelopment partnership with the Town of South Boston, National Hospitality Services, and additional partners.

This collaborative effort will transform the landmark into a boutique hospitality destination now known as The Rook Hotel, preserving the building’s historic character while reintroducing it as a catalyst for downtown activity. The redevelopment is expected to generate approximately 100 construction jobs and 60 full-time positions. Equally important, this project will stimulate local business activity and restore a historic gathering place that holds lasting significance for generations of residents. Scheduled to open in early 2027, the hotel will feature 30 guest rooms, a rooftop lounge bar, and a restaurant, further enhancing South Boston’s downtown experience and economic vitality.

“We look forward to seeing this project take shape and welcoming the positive impact it will have on downtown South Boston for years to come!” said Tamyra Vest, Executive Director of the local Main Street organization Destination Downtown South Boston.