WORK on the transformation of George Square is to begin on site in January 2025, Glasgow City Council has announced.
The first phase will see the creation of a site compound and hoarding of George
Square after the Christmas 2024 decorations come down. Between January and March 2025, 11 bronze statues will be removed and transported to a storage facility.
The statues will be conserved and restored between July 2025 and July 2027, before being returned to their new location on the completed square from July 2027 onwards. The public realm works on George Square and surrounding avenues will start in April 2025, with phased completion up to April 2027 – with George Square delivered by August 2026, the local authority said.
The overall project will deliver ‘high quality’ stone through the square, as well as informal play areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas, a water feature, a raised lawn platform, bespoke sheltered seating, and feature lighting.
Glasgow City Council explained that the new design for the eastern part of the square responds to its institutional character and the formality of the city chambers and of the cenotaph, with a further raised green area to be created in front of the monument. The western, non-institutional part of the square will feature an area for cafes to spill out, as well as a ‘generous’ paved area for events.
George Gillespie, executive director of neighbourhoods, regeneration, and sustainability at Glasgow City Council, said, “The confirmation of the timetable of works for the George Square project is clearly a significant stage in what will be a transformational scheme for Glasgow’s foremost civic space. A great deal of consultation led to the final design for the Square and reflects the ambition to build a space that respects the place the Square holds in our history and meets the future needs of the city and its visitors.”
