Church with Grand Theft Auto link put up for sale – Daily Business

St Stephens is seeking a new owner

A former church turned theatre, which was once owned by a computer games mogul, has been put up for sale.

The A-listed St Stephens in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge area was built in 1828 by the architect William Henry Playfair. Since 1966 it has hosted regular Fringe performances.

Leslie Benzies, former president of the company behind the smash-hit Grand Theft Auto game, bought it in 2014 to preserve the building for community use.

For the past nine years it has been owned by Danish ballet dancer, director and choreographer Peter Schaufuss, who previously ran the now-closed Rose Theatre on Rose Street. He has put St Stephens on the market for £3 million.

The 15,000 sq ft property has many unusual architectural and historical features, including a 49-metre high clock tower which boasts the longest clock pendulum in Europe. It was a place of worship for the young Robert Louis Stevenson who lived in nearby Heriot Row.

Renovation since 2017 has improved the facilities and it offers flexible performing, cultural, and commercial spaces in one of Edinburgh’s most prestigious districts.

Mr Schaufuss said: “When I first saw Saint Stephens in 2014, purchasing it in 2017, my vision was to create a world renowned arts venue.

“I am a creative person not a landlord – and that’s what I have become by default, so now it‘s time to hand it over to someone else to be custodian of this incredible building.”

Multi-let investment for the building generates a total income of approximately £175,000 per annum from long and short-term occupiers.

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