20 – 24 Kirk Wynd was a vacant property which was formerly known as Austin’s Sports Bar. With the assistance of a THI grant, the upper floors of the building have been converted into residential use. This is the only THI grant funded project that is specifically designed to bring vacant floor space back into use.
Externally, the upper floor windows have been reinstated to their original and traditional design. Repairs have been carried out to bring the building back into good condition and it has been redecorated.
What was a long-standing empty property has now been converted into comfortable, attractive and well-designed residential properties. Bringing this space back into use will help to enliven the town centre.
To the rear of the property, the entire first floor windows had been blanked off; these have now been reinstated to their original window pattern and provide views into the well-looked after church grounds.
Little is known about the early history of this building, but it was built sometime in the early 19th century. The building has a prominent position on the corner of Kirk Wynd and Manse Place and frames the view of the Parish Church from Kirk Wynd. Early on, during the project works, a shop sign (fascia board) for ‘Shieling Steakhouse’ was uncovered.