Image courtesy of Michael J. Keane Architects

Portsmouth’s Planning Board has unanimously approved the latest attempt to redevelop the site of a former restaurant that burned down nearly a decade ago.

Plans proposed by developer Peter Floros would see the empty lot at 266-278 State St., once home to the State Street Saloon, into 17 market-rate apartments and three ground-floor retail or restaurant spaces. 

The project received city Historic District Commission approvals in August 2025 and Zoning Board approvals in November 2024, meaning the project is cleared to seek financing and break ground. 

The design seeks to imitate the historic building that burned down, including part of a non-burned structure on the block that will be torn down and rebuilt to better connect to the new development, which from the outside will look like three separate structures. 

Part of that effort to imitate history required adding a cornice at the Historic District Commission’s request that projected over the property line, requiring additional waivers from the city.  

City planning officials acknowledged the process of getting the site redeveloped has been lengthy.  

“It’s been a long torturous path,” Board Vice Chair Anthony Coviello said, “I’m glad to see it finally coming to the end of this design, and the start of construction soon.” 

No amenities spaces are noted in plans filed with the city, but the project will an automated, 16-spot car garage and a ground floor ADA spot to comply with city parking regulations.