Historic Dean Bridge Church Goes on Sale for Over £750,000
A B-listed Victorian church that has stood prominently at the north end of Dean Bridge for nearly 190 years has been listed for sale as a redevelopment opportunity.
The former Holy Trinity Church at 1 Dean Bridge has gone on the market with offers invited over £750,000 (exclusive of VAT). Graham & Sibbald is handling the sale of the 16,830 sq ft stone building, which sits in a highly visible spot close to the West End and city centre.
Built between 1837 and 1838 by architect John Henderson in a Neo-perpendicular Gothic style, the church features a striking three-stage pinnacled lancet clock tower, sandstone ashlar walls, and tall pointed-arch windows.
It spans lower ground, ground, and two upper levels, with a front garden and terrace offering views down to Dean Village and the Water of Leith below.
A Landmark With Real History
The building originally served as Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church. It was later converted to an electricity substation in 1957 before being taken over in the 1980s by the Christian Centre Ministries, which ran Rhema Scotland services there until recently.
Despite those changes, it has kept much of its original character, including notable stained-glass windows by James Ballantine (from the 1860s) and Henry Holiday (around 1900). The original enamelled altarpiece by Holiday is now in St David’s Church in Granton.
Historic Environment Scotland describes the design as reminiscent of early churches by Charles Barry, the architect behind the Houses of Parliament. John Henderson himself went on to become a leading figure in Scotland’s Tractarian Gothic movement.
Strong Early Interest
The property is being marketed as suitable for residential, office, leisure or continued worship use (subject to planning).
Murdo McAndrew at Graham & Sibbald said the firm was “delighted” to take on the instruction. He added that they are keen to see what becomes of “this amazing property” once sold.
The team has already handled 15 viewings since the listing went live in early April.
You can view the full details on the Rightmove commercial listing here: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/174118013
Why This Matters Locally
Dean Bridge is one of Edinburgh’s most photographed spots, and the church is a familiar landmark for drivers, cyclists and walkers heading between the New Town, West End and Dean Village.
Any future use will need to respect its B-listed status, so planners will have a say on what happens inside and out. Locals on social media have already started discussing possibilities, from flats to offices or even a community space.
Key Details – At A Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Dean Bridge, Edinburgh EH4 3AS |
| Price | Offers over £750,000 (ex VAT) |
| Size | 16,830 sq ft (1,564 sq m) |
| Levels | Lower ground, ground + two upper |
| Key features | Clock tower, garden/terrace, stained glass |
| Agent | Graham & Sibbald |
| Potential uses | Residential, office, leisure (STP) |
What To Know Before You Go
Viewings are by appointment through Graham & Sibbald.
Anyone seriously interested will want to factor in conversion costs for a listed building of this age, as well as the usual planning process with the City of Edinburgh Council.
Our Take
It’s rare for a building this prominent and historic to come up for sale in such a central location. The price looks competitive for the size and setting, but the real test will be how any new owner balances preservation with practical redevelopment.