Mansfield Traquair Centre is one of Edinburgh's best known and prestigious event spaces designed to host a range of events including parties, weddings, filming, and conferences with onsite catering facilities for up to 400 people.
In addition to operating as a successful conference and entertainment venue, Mansfield Traquair Centre also houses high quality office accommodation at lower ground and mezzanine levels for 70 desk spaces.
The property is category A Listed and designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson and completed in 1895. Originally a Catholic Apostolic Church, the outstanding feature is the scheme of mural decorations painted by the renowned Phoebe Anna Traquair in the 1890s.
The building operated as a working church until the mid-1900s and by the 1970s fell into a slow decline. In the late 1980s the building was bought by a property company and its main use was as a night club known as Café Graffiti – a well-known and significant player in the Edinburgh musical scene of the time. In 1992 a group of local residents, concerned about the deterioration of the building and the murals, formed the Friends of Mansfield Place Church (now Friends of Mansfield Traquair Centre) which in turn led to the formation of Mansfield Traquair Trust. The Trust raised some £6m to purchase the building and carry out a full repair and restoration project that was completed in 2002. The restoration of the murals was completed in 2005.
Location
The property is located on the corner of Mansfield Place at the north end of Brougton Street at its intersection with East London Street. The area is characterised by Georgian architecture, situated within the east end of the New Town Conservation Area. The immediate surroundings include vibrant Broughton Street, with its wealth of artisan food stores, restaurants and independent shops.
The new St James Quarter offers an array of retail, leisure and restaurants just a short walk away, as well as John Lewis, Harvey Nichols and Multrees Walk. The locale is highly accessible and well served by public transport. It is conveniently located for road access to both the east and west of the city, as well as regular tram services connecting directly to Edinburgh airport. The nearest tram stop is located on Picardy Place. The city’s bus station is accessed from St Andrew Square and Elder Street. There is a local bus stop at the front door of Mansfield Traquair Centre. Edinburgh’s principal railway station, Waverley, lies to the south about a 15 minute walk away.
Accommodation
The property is understood to extend to the following approximate Net Internal Floor Area:
GROUND
Reception - 709 sq ft (65.9 sq m)
Venue/Kitchen - 7,420 sq ft (689.4 sq m)
MEZZANINE
Offices - 3,293 sq ft (305.10 sq m)
LOWER GROUND
Offices and Ancillary - 5,323 sq ft (494.6 sq m)
TOTAL - 16,745 sq ft (1,555 sq m)
Terms
Offers - Offers are invited for the leasehold interest in the property as a whole on a new Full Repairing and Insuring Lease for a term to be agreed.
Rateable Value - According to the Scottish Assessors www.saa.gov.uk the building has a Rateable Value of £157,000 (effective from 1 April 2023).
EPC - The property has an Energy Performance Certificate of ‘D’.
VAT - The property has been elected for VAT which will be payable on all rents and charges.
Specification
Venue Space
- Former church nave, now entertainment space
- Bar area
- Commercial kitchen
- Gas central heating
- Outside entertaining space
Office Space
- Existing high quality office fit out
- Open plan working area with plentiful meeting rooms
- Kitchen/ staff break out area
- Air conditioning
- Raised access floor with power and data
- Modern light fitments
- Accessible lift
Common
- Generous entrance reception and foyers
- Ladies, gents and accessible toilet facilities
- Shower
- Passenger and accessible lift
- Garden areas
- 9 car parking spaces