Summary
Step into a rare opportunity to own a distinguished piece of Scottish Borders heritage. Situated on the north side of Duns' bustling Market Square, this striking 19th-century building, the former Working Men's Institute which stands as a fine example of late Victorian civic architecture, brimming with character and potential. Built in 1877 as a reading room and social institute for the men of the town, the building is a beautiful blend of architectural flair and historical significance. Over the decades, it has been thoughtfully adapted for various community, charitable and commercial uses, including a BBC radio studio, charities, clubs, with the ground floor being a general hardware store, which is to be sold with current tenants in situ, providing immediate rental income for the new owner.
This impressive 3-storey Category B Listed building, constructed in sandstone ashlar, showcases richly detailed Victorian architecture. Notable features include an elegant Dutch gable pediment, fluted Elizabethan columns, ornate stone carvings, and a proud parapet inscription reading "WORKING MEN'S INSTITUTE A.D. 1877." The facade is further enhanced by original sash and case windows, basket-arched attic windows, gabled dormers, and decorative cast iron rainwater goods. Currently tenanted as a ground-floor hardware store, the shop has a separate access to the side leading to rear shop area, which was once the Brethren Meeting Room. The upper floors used for community purposes — presenting flexible opportunities for commercial use, development, or conversion (subject to consents).
