The project, part of the wider Glasgow City Council Avenues Programme, aims to rejuvenate the square and its surrounding streets, delivering a greener, more welcoming city centre.

The first phase of work begins in May, with hoardings currently being installed around the site. A key early milestone will see the removal of 11 historic bronze statues between May 11 and 23 for conservation and restoration. These statues are scheduled to return to the square ahead of its full reopening in Autumn 2026.

Originally, redevelopment plans included a significant water feature; however, council officials confirmed that this element has been scrapped due to budgetary constraints. A recent council report revealed that while early designs featured a fountain, the cost of delivering the core works meant the feature had to be omitted to stay within the available funding.

Despite the change, the revamp will see a comprehensive redesign of George Square. New high-quality stone finishes, a raised lawn platform, sensory gardens with informal children’s play areas, bespoke sheltered seating, and feature lighting will be installed. The eastern side of the square will maintain a more formal tone, aligning with its proximity to the City Chambers and the Cenotaph, while the western side will offer flexible, paved spaces for events and extended café seating.

A significant landscaping element includes the planting of new tree species such as ‘Robin Hill’ Pink Juneberry, ‘Frans Fontaine’ Hornbeam, ‘Forest Pansy’ Redbud, ‘Autumn Gold’ Ginkgo, Burgundy Sweetgum, Pin Oak, Flowering Cherries, and Rowans.

Beyond the square itself, the contract also covers improvements to several key streets: North Hanover Street (between Cathedral Street and George Square), George Street (between Montrose Street and George Square), West George Street (between Nelson Mandela Place and George Square), Cochrane Street, and St Vincent Place. Work will be delivered in two phases, with George Square, St Vincent Place, and West George Street scheduled for completion by August 2026. Cochrane Street and parts of North Hanover Street and George Street are slated to complete in spring 2027.

The George Square and Avenues projects are being funded through the £1 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal, with the UK and Scottish Governments each contributing £8.815 million towards the main contract. The remainder of the funding will be provided by Glasgow City Council.

In the meantime, public hoardings around the site will not only manage safety but also display information panels celebrating Glasgow’s achievements and offering a glimpse into the future vision for George Square.