Aberdeen Arts Centre, King Street, Aberdeen

The Aberdeen Arts Centre, designed by John Smith in 1829-30, is a significant Greek Revival building that was originally a church. It is located on a prominent corner site and features a symmetrical, rectangular plan. The entrance elevation has a striking advanced giant Ionic tetrastyle portico to the north, topped by a square-plan clock tower with a circular top stage, inspired by the Lysicrates Monument. The building is constructed from grey granite, with ashlar stonework on the north and east sides, and includes a base course. The deep overhanging parapet has a balustrade above the porch, and the façade is characterized by large round-arched windows, with rectangular windows below that have blind recessed aprons at ground level. Giant Doric pilasters separate the bays on the east side.

On the north entrance elevation, shallow steps lead up to the central Ionic portico, flanked by bays containing single round-arched windows with blind recessed panels above. There are three tall timber two-leaf eight-panel doors at the entrance. Above the doors, the central square-plan tower features clasping Corinthian pilasters and rectangular louvred openings on each face. This tower is topped by a circular temple-like stage with a deep plinth and an eight-columned Corinthian colonnade, finished with a shallow conical roof that has a cap and a short spire.

The building contains predominantly timber multi-paned arched and rectangular windows, with some timber sash and case windows located on the ground level at the south side. The interior was converted in 1963 to create a theatre, resulting in little of the original fabric remaining, although some tall timber two-panelled doors are still present.