![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/St-Stephens-Church-Stockbridge.png\")
A former church turned theatre, which was once owned by a computer games mogul, has been put up for sale.<\/p>\n
The A-listed St Stephens in Edinburgh\u2019s Stockbridge area was built in 1828 by the architect William Henry Playfair. Since 1966 it has hosted regular Fringe performances.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For the past nine years it has been owned by Danish ballet dancer, director and choreographer\u00a0Peter Schaufuss,\u00a0who previously ran the now-closed Rose Theatre on Rose Street. He has put St Stephens on the market for \u00a33 million. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Renovation since 2017 has improved the facilities and it offers flexible performing, cultural, and commercial spaces in one of Edinburgh\u2019s most prestigious districts.<\/p>\n
Mr Schaufuss said: \u201cWhen I first saw Saint Stephens in 2014, purchasing it in 2017, my vision was to create a world renowned arts venue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a creative person not a landlord \u2013 and that\u2019s what I have become by default, so now it\u2018s time to hand it over to someone else to be custodian of this incredible building.\u201d<\/p>\n
Multi-let investment for the building generates a total income of approximately \u00a3175,000 per annum from long and short-term occupiers.<\/p>\n
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