ABC owners say Glasgow School of Art 'ignored fire warning'

Last week, the Art School said plans for the O2 ABC site put the rebuild of their historic Mackintosh building at 'significant risk'.

They objected to the Sauchiehall Street proposals, which have been recommended for approval to councillors.

This is despite the planning document admitting that the plans have a 'significant issue of the negative impact on the Conservation Area'.

The owners of the former O2 ABC and Jumpin Jack’s buildings have now hit back at the Glasgow School of Art (GSoA), accusing the institution of hypocrisy and obstruction over its attempts to block the proposed redevelopment of the Sauchiehall Street site destroyed in the 2018 Mackintosh fire.

The fire ravaged the Mackintosh building (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Mack rebuild 'at risk' from ABC warns Glasgow Art School 

James Patterson, Director of Urban Pulse, speaking on behalf of the owners, said: “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.”

(Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: 'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan 

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.

The scheme includes more than 1000 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 responded: "If there were concerns, these should have been raised with Glasgow City Council as part of the planning applications and building warrant approvals submitted for the Mackintosh restoration at that time, which were subsequently approved.  

"Management and responsibility for the building at the time of the 2018 fire was with Keir Construction (Scotland) Ltd as the appointed contractor.

"We spent considerable time meeting with VITA to discuss thoroughly their plans and find solutions, and they presented to the Mackintosh Project Board on their proposals with positive discussion and follow-up engagement.  

"To suggest we have refused to engage constructively since 2018 or we have delayed work on their site is both factually incorrect and disingenuous."