Architects appointed for major Midsteeple Quarter project
Work has started to identify options for the long-term regeneration of three community-owned buildings as Midsteeple Quarter begins the next phase of its mission to breathe new life into Dumfries High Street.
Dumfries architecture firm Robert Potter and Partners has been commissioned by the community benefit society to carry out a feasibility study on the transformation of 111 High Street (Flourish), 113-115 High Street (The Smithy) and 117-119 High Street (The Press/Printworks).
The study - commissioned following a competitive recruitment process - is expected to be completed in time for Midsteeple Quarter’s AGM in the autumn.
The architects have been tasked to produce two different outline design scheme options. These will take account of Midsteeple Quarter’s ambition to create a vibrant neighbourhood characterised by attractive, high-quality residential accommodation for rent, affordable retail and commercial spaces for independent businesses and flexible and accessible working, learning and community spaces
A series of community engagement events will be held over the summer to help inform the plans and determine which designs get taken forward.
Midsteeple Quarter has already transformed a formerly derelict pocket of the High Street into The Standard.
Executive Director Tim Cowen said: “Dumfries town centre has been impacted by changing shopping habits as people migrate to shopping online and out of town retail parks.
“The coronavirus pandemic and loss of national retail chains have sped up the town centre’s decline and resulted in many High Street shops and buildings becoming empty and neglected.
“Midsteeple Quarter is a community benefit society formed as a direct response to these challenges, with a mission to revive the heart of Dumfries town centre.”
Tim added: “With The Standard now completed, it’s great to be turning our attention to the next phase of our work and what we could achieve with three of our other community owned buildings.
“This feasibility study will not only inform our long term thinking and plans, but will also help inform our priorities for carrying out short and medium-term repairs for these buildings, helping to keep them in productive use throughout the next phase of our work.
“We are delighted to be working with a Dumfries-based firm on this feasibility study. Throughout their successful bid, they emphasised their existing strong connections to Dumfries High Street and local passion for the project. We are really excited to see what design ideas they come up with.”
Robert Potter and Partners, based on Newall Terrace, just a few minutes’ walk from Midsteeple Quarter, has spent more than 60 years working in Dumfries and across the United Kingdom.
Director Douglas Bodell said: “Midsteeple Quarter represents the type of project that aligns profoundly with our identity, values and long-standing commitment to Dumfries.
“These buildings are not abstract architectural challenges to us, they are part of the streets we walk every day, part of the townscape we have helped shape for decades and part of the community we proudly serve.
“This is a meaningful opportunity for us to contribute directly to the future of our own town centre and to support a community-led vision for renewal. Midsteeple Quarter’s mission is one we passionately support.”
The feasibility study is being funded by the Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) and the Esme Fairburn Foundation.
As plans for 111-119 High Street are progressed - and work carried out to keep the buildings wind and watertight - Midsteeple Quarter also hopes to complete the transformation of 109 High Street/51 Bank Street, where it has planning permission for four residential flats.
Construction of The Standard - which includes homes, event and enterprise spaces - was completed in late 2024. Its national importance was recognised at the 2025 SURF Awards, where it won the Housing and Regeneration category.
The six Dumfries town centre buildings in community ownership through Midsteeple Quarter are 51 Bank Street, 109, 111, 113-115, 117-119 and 135-139 High Street.