THE Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to the faithful reinstatement of the A-listed Mackintosh Building.
A tender is to be issued for the appointment of architects, cost consultants, and economic impact experts to update the strategic outline business case (SOBC) for the faithful reinstatement of the iconic building, which was significantly damaged in a 2018 fire.
Appointments are anticipated to be made by July 2024, with the SOBC addendum published in early 2025, the GSA said. The learning institute added that the SOBC addendum will identify the appropriate route to deliver the rebuild of the Mackintosh Building.
The current financial climate will be taken into account in the SOBC, as well as construction inflation, and likely contingency provision looking forward. Furthermore, the economic case for the project will also be updated – with it reflecting Glasgow City Council’s recently published plan for the city centre, and the role of culture and heritage in the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street and the immediate surrounding area.
Adding that it remains committed to a faithful reinstatement, the GSA said that the SOBC addendum process will not reconsider this – with it instead reviewing the journey towards delivering it.
In addition, the GSA also confirmed that it has chosen to enter into arbitration proceedings with its insurers. Since June 2018, the GSA has been working through the ‘very complex’ insurance claim, supported by a team of external legal and insurance professionals.
Following publication of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fire investigation report in January 2022, insurers requested further information which the GSA provided to enable them to confirm policy cover. In the absence of this confirmation, the GSA said it has chosen to initiate arbitration. Work to date, totalling £18 million, has been funded by interim payments from the insurers, it added.
Commenting on the next stage of the project, professor Penny Macbeth, director of the GSA, said, “We are committed to the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building, and for that to be done in an exemplary way, returning it as a working art school building at the heart of Glasgow’s creative and cultural eco-system.
“While the protective wrap installed in June 2023 does its job of allowing the building to dry out over the next couple of years, it is important that we move forward with parallel work strands in what is a complex building project.
“What we are now doing, through the SOBC Addendum process, robustly testing our previous assumptions, economic impact, timelines and approaches to delivery, whilst initiating arbitration with our insurers, will ensure we can make strategic, evidenced-based decisions, ensuring the Mackintosh Building is successfully rebuilt and contributes to the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street and this part of Glasgow City Centre.”
