Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Arts centre Summerhall goes up for sale on the open market

Estate agents say prime site offers “endless” development opportunities

The future of one of Edinburgh’s best-known Fringe venues has been thrown into doubt after the entire complex was put up for sale.

Summerhall, the year-round arts centre that has operated in a former vet school complex overlooking the Meadows since 2011, has been put on the open market. It is already being touted by estate agents for possible redevelopment into student housing, a “boutique hotel” or offices.

More than 110 businesses operate across seven different buildings at Summerhall, one of the biggest privately-owned multi-arts centres in Europe. It has become renowned for its theatre, live music and visual art programmes, which are said to attract an audience in excess of one million to the site throughout the year.

Edinburgh arts venue Summerhall has been put up for sale. Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic

Summerhall has been put up for sale by Oesselmann Estate Limited, a family-run trust, which the arts centre’s founder, Robert McDowell, is a director of.

Mr McDowell, who said the building was being sold against his “personal wishes”, is a director of Summerhall Management Limited, which runs the venue on a day-to-day basis.

Summerhall’s management insist they are committed to the “long-term survival” of the venue and have vowed to try to “ensure the arts are front and centre of any decisions that may be made in the future”.

However, estate agents handling the sale say the 130,000sqft site offers "endless" refurbishment and redevelopment options.

Edinburgh arts centre and Fringe venue Summerhall has been put up for sale.

Edinburgh-based CutherbertWhite said the site was expected to generate “considerable interest” internationally, highlighting its “enviable location overlooking” the Meadows, and close proximity to neighbouring residential housing, student accommodation and university buildings.

Hundreds of supporters of Summerhall have already signed a petition raising concerns about the sell-off and the possibility of a “crucial cultural asset” being lost.

The petition states: “We urge the current owners and potential buyers to explore alternative solutions that preserve Summerhall's role as a hub for creativity, innovation, and community engagement.”

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Summerhall has been hosting cultural shows and events since 2011.

An official statement from Summerhall Management Limited said it was hopeful the new owners would “build upon all that has been achieved over 13 years for the arts and culture of Edinburgh and Scotland”.

Mr McDowell said: "When much else in life is uncertain and filled with warring, when the healing balms of the arts are in highest demand, it is troubling for much-loved, dare I say famous, Summerhall to go through the property market wringer.

"Against my personal wishes, the decision was made to put the premises up for sale. My hope is that we come through this intact and able to continue as before, perhaps even better? We proved ourselves a valuable part of what makes Edinburgh a great city and fully international. We’re honoured that there is so much love and support. Let us hope for the best."

CuthbertWhite said the Summerhall site offered “significant redevelopment and refurbishment potential for a variety of uses, subject to planning”.

Its website states: “The city has a strong educational heritage, with one of the most highly educated workforces in the UK and it benefits from being a thriving all-year-round tourist destination, attracting over five million tourist bed nights per annum.

“Extensive mixed use redevelopment and refurbishment options including residential, galleries and entertainment spaces, boutique hotels, offices, studios, and student housing, subject to the necessary consents.”

CuthbertWhite director Stephen Kay said: “We’re excited to be bringing this to the open market and we expect considerable interest in this property from a wide range of domestic and international parties.”