Plans to reconstruct the Glasgow School of Art, a renowned Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed landmark severely damaged by fire, face significant funding challenges, the institution announced Wednesday. The total estimated cost to restore the building according to Mackintosh’s original design stands at approximately £265 million ($355 million), an expense the school characterized as unaffordable without assistance.

The Glasgow School of Art, located in Scotland’s largest city, has been partially supported by scaffolding since a devastating fire in 2018, which followed an earlier blaze in 2014. School officials said that while they intend to remove the external scaffolding and install an internal support structure, this measure alone will not return the building to operational status. External funding would be necessary to proceed with a full reconstruction.

Architectural experts underscored the cultural and historical significance of the building. Neil Baxter, an architectural historian and former faculty member at the school, described the structure as holding “greatest world importance” and called on the Scottish and British governments to provide financial support. Similarly, Gordon Gibb, a former director at the school’s architecture department, emphasized the building’s influence on architectural history and urged for a responsible restoration to preserve its legacy.

The Scottish government’s education and culture minister, Màiri McAllan, expressed a preference for a faithful reconstruction of the building. She noted that while the school had not formally requested public funds, the government was committed to collaborating with the institution and other stakeholders to secure a sustainable future for the site. However, economic constraints are a limiting factor, as Britain’s broader financial challenges have affected available resources.

Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has prioritized economic growth beyond London, but budgetary constraints remain acute amid a sluggish economy. The school’s recent report cited rising construction inflation, market volatility, economic pressures, and changes in the financial landscape of higher education as obstacles to undertaking the rebuild without external help. The report suggested that securing funding might require positioning the project as part of a larger regeneration initiative in Glasgow to meet government funding criteria.

The Glasgow School of Art holds a unique place in both the cultural and educational landscape. Completed in 1909, the building is celebrated as Mackintosh’s masterpiece and a defining example of Art Nouveau architecture. It served as a working art school and a tourist attraction, drawing visitors to its distinctive library and intricate decorative features.

Since the second fire, the school has been engaged in confidential arbitration with its insurer, complicating the financing picture. Penny Macbeth, the school’s director, had previously emphasized the commitment to restoring the building authentically, insisting that any restoration must be executed with precision and excellence.

The chair of the school’s board of governors, Ann Priest, indicated that early talks with government officials had been constructive but cautioned that any eventual restoration would not be an exact historical replica. Priest pointed out the necessity of meeting current fire safety regulations and accessibility standards, suggesting a rebuilt structure would need to balance preservation with modern requirements, aiming to honor Mackintosh’s visionary legacy while adapting to contemporary needs.

Amid uncertainty about the future, voices in the architectural community highlighted the national and international importance of the school’s restoration, framing it as a responsibility to safeguard an influential piece of Scotland’s cultural heritage.