THE owners of the former O2 ABC and Jumpin Jak’s buildings have accused the Glasgow School of Art (GSoA) of ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘obstruction’ over comments it recently made in regard to plans to redevelop the Sauchiehall Street site.
Plans were launched earlier this month by Vita Group to redevelop the former ABC site into a student accommodation development, complete with a publicly accessible destination food hall and a courtyard events space.
Following a recommendation of approval from Glasgow City Council planners, the Glasgow School of Art released a statement saying the proposals put its commitment to rebuilding the fire-damaged Mackintosh Building at ‘significant risk’.
The Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art suffered significant damage in a 2014 fire, before further damage was caused by another fire whilst it was undergoing a restoration project in 2018.
The second fire also badly damaged the 02 ABC, with it lying empty ever since and being served with a demolition notice in August 2024.
James Patterson, director of Urban Pulse, speaking on behalf of the owners of the buildings, stated, “In 2016, we warned the GSoA that another fire would be catastrophic for the entire block. That warning was ignored — and the result was total devastation of the entire city block including the much loved ABC. Now, the very organisation whose building caused that destruction is standing in the way of progress.
“The Mackintosh building is now a burnt shell — a fragile monument, not a functioning institution. It is being held together by scaffolding and steel. Yet GSoA continues to block a viable, respectful redevelopment plan that could finally bring safety, life, and architectural integrity back to this part of Glasgow.
“We are not just rebuilding. We are protecting the future — including GSoA’s own. The current proposal enables a realistic, safe, and potentially glorious return for the Mackintosh. Their refusal to engage constructively with us since the fire is a dereliction of basic neighbourly duty.
“GSoA can’t have it both ways. They’ve contributed nothing but delay, while the community around them has paid the price. It’s time to move forward.”
The owners, who lost the ABC venue and numerous businesses in the fire, have expressed their support for a redevelopment plan by Vita, which has already been recommended for approval by Glasgow City Council planners.
Urban Pulse explained that the scheme includes over 1,000 square metres of space deliberately sacrificed to create fire-safe separation between buildings, allowing for future reconstruction of the Mackintosh structure without further risk to neighbouring properties.
The owners also questioned the sincerity of GSoA’s objections, citing the ‘marginal’ potential loss of light to interior spaces that no longer exist and pointing out the ‘visual and daylight impact of the School’s own Reid Building on the Mackintosh’. Furthermore, they noted that GSoA has presented ‘no concrete plans, no secured funding, and no timeline for its own redevelopment’.
The Glasgow School of Art has been approached for comment.
