Glasgow art school appeals for extra money to restore building

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 23, 2026

The Glasgow School of Art has revealed it needs around £265 million to fully restore its fire-damaged Mackintosh Building, far exceeding its annual budget. To proceed, the school is seeking partnerships and government support to stabilize and rebuild the landmark, which holds major cultural and economic importance for the region.

The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has announced that it requires substantial additional funding to restore its iconic Mackintosh Building, which was severely damaged by major fires in 2014 and 2018. Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and completed in 1909, the building is considered an architectural landmark with significant cultural value.

The 2018 fire occurred as the building was nearing the completion of a £35 million restoration effort following the earlier blaze. Despite a prolonged insurance claim process, a considerable financial gap remains due to increased construction costs, pushing the estimated total restoration expenses to approximately £265 million. This figure is roughly five times the GSA’s annual turnover, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

The school previously intended to lead the restoration independently but has since acknowledged that the project’s financial demands exceed its capacity. GSA’s board chair, Ann Priest, emphasized the institution’s commitment to rebuilding the structure but also stressed the importance of maintaining the school’s overall financial stability. Priest indicated that the Mackintosh Building holds potential not only as a preserved historic site but also as a catalyst for innovation, regeneration, and economic growth in the region.

To move forward, the GSA is initiating discussions with local and national governments, stakeholders, and potential partners to explore collaborative funding solutions. The school plans to use the insurance settlement to support an “enabling project,” which includes the installation of an internal retention system replacing the external scaffolding erected in 2018. This work aims to stabilise the building and provide a safer platform for future restoration efforts.

Historic Environment Scotland’s chief executive officer, Katerina Brown, described the announcement as a significant step toward securing the long-term future of the Mackintosh Building. The restoration project remains an important endeavor due to the building’s architectural and cultural significance, but the financial and logistical complexities involved underscore the need for wide-ranging support to achieve a faithful reinstatement.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.