Landmark Stockbridge Church and Theatre Put on the Market for £3 Million

One of Stockbridge's most recognisable landmarks has been put up for sale.

St Stephen's Church, the A-listed former church and current arts venue on St Stephen Street, is being marketed for offers over £3 million by estate agents Culverwell.

Designed by renowned architect William Henry Playfair and completed in 1828, the striking building has long been a focal point of the Stockbridge community. Over the years it has evolved from a place of worship into a theatre and cultural venue, hosting concerts, performances, community events and Edinburgh Festival Fringe productions.

The building's recent history includes ownership by Leslie Benzies, former president of Rockstar North, the Edinburgh-based studio behind the hugely successful Grand Theft Auto video game series. Benzies purchased the property in 2014 with the aim of preserving it for community use.

For the past nine years, St Stephen's has been owned by Danish ballet dancer, director and choreographer Peter Schaufuss. Under his stewardship, the venue has continued to operate as a performing arts space and has welcomed a range of productions, including a sell-out Fringe run of Hamlet starring Sir Ian McKellen in 2022.

Speaking about the sale, Schaufuss said he felt it was time to pass the building on to a new custodian, describing himself as "a creative person, not a landlord."

The 15,000-square-foot property includes two theatre spaces and a number of remarkable historic features, including a 49-metre clock tower housing what is believed to be the longest clock pendulum in Europe. The building is also home to a rare Henry Willis organ dating from 1880.

The sale raises questions about the future of one of Stockbridge's most significant historic and cultural buildings. While no plans have yet been announced for its next chapter, many local residents will be hoping that the building continues to play a role in the community it has served for almost 200 years.