Now, David Dale Gallery & Studios are exploring taking on a 25-year lease to bring the building back into meaningful use.

Scotland Street School is one of the city’s Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed buildings in his instantly recognisable signature Glasgow style.

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The gallery is looking to take it on under Glasgow City Council’s People Make Glasgow Communities programme where third parties take over ownership and management of facilities that the council or Glasgow Life is unable or unwilling to keep open.

It is proposing the building would be brought back into full public use as a creative hub for Glasgow.

The ground floor would house a café, a contemporary art gallery, an artist residency space and a screening room, while the upper floors would provide artist studios and space for creative businesses.

The gallery owners said: “ We will retain and enhance as much of the building’s original interior and character as possible, including dedicating space to telling the story of the school and Mackintosh’s architecture. 

“Subject to the lease being agreed, we hope to begin works in 2027, with a view to opening the building to the public in 2028.”

The had a previous plan to use the building as an early years education facility after the museum shut during covid, however that plan was ultimately deemed not feasible. 

Work is progressing to refurbish the exterior of the building.

Scotland Street School is considered one of Glasgow’s significant Mackintosh works.

The famous architect who collaborated with his wife Margaret on many projects, designed the school which was build between 1903 and 1906.

David Dale Gallery & Studios is asking for the public to share their views of the school building and has a survey on its website it wants to use to help inform its decisions and shape its plans

There will be an information session held at Kinning Park Complex on the evening of October 2, with a further local date to be confirmed, and one held at David Dale Gallery.