The future of the iconic Glasgow School of Art building is under review after the school said the restoration needed to reopen the fire-damaged landmark would be too costly to manage alone.
Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and completed in stages between 1899 and 1909, the Art Nouveau masterpiece has long stood as one of Scotland's most admired cultural buildings. Its path to recovery became more complex after fires in 2014 and 2018 caused extensive damage.
Following the settlement of a long-running insurance claim, the school estimated that reopening the structure would require about £265 million. In a statement, it said the scale of the project exceeds its own capacity and expertise, while rising construction costs have widened the funding challenge.
Support for a broader rescue effort has begun to build. Scottish education and culture minister Màiri McAllan said officials will work with partners to help secure a strong future for the building, while board chair Ann Priest described early talks with government representatives as positive.
Once a major draw for visitors from around the world, the building remains a symbol of architectural innovation and cultural identity. Its restoration could shape how historic landmarks are preserved through future public-private cooperation.
