HOUSE FOR AN ART LOVER

Designed in 1901 and opened in 1996, House for An Art Lover was designed by Glasgow's most famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh entered a competition, advertised in a German design magazine, to design a stylishly modern grand house that challenged architects of the time to generate new concepts that were both innovative and fresh. Mackintosh’s submission was the ‘House for an Art Lover’, a project in which he collaborated with his wife, Margaret Macdonald, a decorative artist and graduate from the Glasgow School of Art.

Ultimately, Mackintosh was disqualified from the competition as a result of late submission however; his designs in this particular project were awarded a special prize for their personal touch, their innovative and meticulous form and the uniformity of the exterior and interiors.

Nestled proudly within the beautiful 169 acre grounds of Bellahouston Park in Glasgow’s south side, the House for an Art Lover is one of Glasgow’s most unique art galleries and cultural attractions, housing one of the most enchanting pieces of recent research on Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The venue is also a prestigious facility for conferences and is a treat for art aficionados.

The House for an Art Lover was not built in Mackintosh’s lifetime with construction of his magnificent project commencing in 1989. Mackintosh’s striking architectural concept became a reality in 1996 when the House for an Art Lover was completed some 95 years after the design plans were drawn up.

Visitors to the house can marvel at the collections displayed in the Mackintosh exhibition rooms and art lovers can draw comparisons of Mackintosh’s original designs between each completed room. The extensive art collection in the exhibition rooms were designed by contemporary artists and artisans who followed Mackintosh’s original plans for the building, transforming his vision into reality. Visitors can bear witness to ongoing recreations of Mackintosh’s work, which are documented in the audio tour and an audio-visual presentation.

On the ground floor, The Art Lovers’ Café nestles in a bright, contemporary space where visitors can select from an exquisite and innovative menu ranging from light snacks to substantial, freshly-prepared meals. The surrounding collection of artwork on display will ensure that your dining experience more special with a fusion of culture and cuisine. In the summer months, the Café Terrace is the perfect place to relax and enjoy refreshments or a meal al fresco.

Today, the House for an Art Lover is one of Glasgow’s most prestigious venues for hosting corporate and private functions and offers a fine dining experience to patrons in elegant Art Nouveau surroundings. Functions and events are tailored to our clients’ requirements, each having an exclusive selection of uniquely styled suites designed to host weddings, award ceremonies, corporate and seasonal parties including Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations.

Take a stroll around the Victorian walled garden, which is now incorporated into House For An Art Lover’s brand new Studio Pavilion and Heritage Centre. The house even has its very own sculpture garden.