One of Scotland's most distinguished galleries will be given a new lease of life being run by Glasgow School of Art.
The GSA can now embark on radical plans to revamp the prestigious McLellan Galleries in Glasgow's city centre.
Glasgow City Council has given its approval to the school to take on a 95-year lease of the B-listed McLellan Galleries.
As reported last week, the GSA will make a minimum investment of £10m in the galleries, potentially rising to as much as £20m.
The revamp will include plans, currently being developed in concept form by Page/Park Architects, which could include a new central courtyard and exhibition space, allowing a public route through from Sauchiehall Street to the GSA's Mackintosh, Reid and Bourdon Buildings on Renfrew Street.
The galleries have not been in full use for years and the council this year advertised for a body to take on a long term lease of the venerable galleries, with a commitment to repair the building and "use it in line with its historic focus on art, culture and public access."
Now the building will be run by the GSA for the foreseeable future and be used for public, artistic and academic purposes.
It could also potentially be used for Fine Art Degree Shows while the fire-damaged Mackintosh Building is restored.
Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "The Glasgow School of Art presented an extremely strong case for the long-term lease, and seem a perfect fit for the galleries."
Professor Tom Inns, director of The Glasgow School of Art said: "The GSA first occupied the McLellan Galleries between 1869 and 1899 before moving into purpose-designed accommodation at 167 Renfrew Street - The Mackintosh Building.
"At that time they were considered to be ill adapted of the purposes of a school of art.
"100 years later our plans and investment in the Galleries will bring them back to life and secure their long-term future for both the school and the city."
The date of entry and commencement of the 95 year lease will be from September 2015.
GSA is currently occupying the galleries and will continue to do so until the official date of entry on a temporary licence.
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