An aisleless Gothic church with a landmark broach spire has become Peebles’ principal theatre and arts venue.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1871–72; converted 2002–04
- Architect / designer
- Original architect not stated; conversion by Richard Murphy Architects
- Type
- Early Gothic former church adapted as a theatre and arts centre
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB39165)
- OS grid reference
- NT 25368 40520
Architecture and continuing use
Snecked whinstone and cream sandstone dressings shape an aisleless nave, paired doorways and corner tower. Lancets, carved stops, plate tracery and a tall broach spire preserve its ecclesiastical outline around the adapted interior.
Its story
The Free Church was built in 1871‗2. Richard Murphy Architects converted it between 2002 and 2004, inserting a performance venue while retaining the Gothic street presence and significant fabric.
Why it is included
Its successful change from worship to a busy cultural venue connects Victorian townscape, architectural conservation and present community life.
What to notice
- The tall broach spire and its small gabled lucarnes.
- Paired entrance gables with carved tympana.
- Whinstone walls set off by pale sandstone tracery and dressings.
Reading the surroundings
The venue publishes events and booking information. Interior access follows performances, cinema screenings and programmed activity rather than unrestricted heritage opening.
Timeline
- 1871–72 The aisleless Free Church and its corner spire were completed on Eastgate.
- 2002–04 Richard Murphy Architects converted the church into a theatre and arts centre.
- 2010 The statutory description was updated through a national theatres study.
- 2026 Eastgate Arts continues a programme of live performance, cinema and participation.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Event access and room availability vary with the programme, and the original architect is not named in the checked designation.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre, LB39165 — Designation category, mapped location, construction phases, fabric, authorship and architectural or historical interest.
- Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre — Current performance, cinema, participation and booking programme.
Location
OS grid reference NT 25368 40520 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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