Glasgow City Council Sells Historic Mackintosh Building to Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Strategic Insights -

Glasgow's former Martyrs' School, a Category A listed building designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, is set to undergo a £1.75 million refurbishment to house a public museum and Scottish Catholic archive. The building, completed in 1898, has stood vacant since the 1970s and was declared surplus in June 2024. After a marketing exercise between October 2024 and March 2025, the Bishops' Conference of Scotland successfully bid to purchase the building, which will also feature office space.

Key Takeaways:

  • The former Martyrs' School building, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, is being sold to the Bishops' Conference of Scotland for £1.75 million.
  • The Category A listed building will be sensitively refurbished to house a public museum and Scottish Catholic archive.
  • The three-storey building has been vacant since the 1970s, having been used as a school, college facility, arts centre, and office space in the past.
  • The Bishops' Conference of Scotland also owns property on the opposite side of Parson Street, including St Mungo's Church and retreat.
  • Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Heritage, Development and Land Use, stated that finding sustainable uses for unused heritage buildings is a priority for Glasgow City Council.
  • The successful sale will bring new life to Mackintosh's early work and provide public access to a historic Glasgow district.
  • The building will also feature office space, making it a fully occupied heritage building.
  • The sale price of the building is £250,000, with the purchaser funding the £1.75 million refurbishment works programme.

Statistics:

  • £1.75 million: The refurbishment works programme funded by the purchaser.
  • £250,000: The sale price paid by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland.
  • 1898: The year the Martyrs' School building was completed.
  • 1970s: The period when the building was last used as a school and college facility.
  • 2024 (June): The building was declared surplus by Glasgow City Council.
  • 2024 (October) - 2025 (March): The marketing exercise for the disposal of the building.

Sources:

  • Glasgow City Council
  • UK Government
  • Bishops' Conference of Scotland
  • Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Heritage, Development and Land Use