01-05-2025
Major update on transformation of Glasgow city centre
There will be a range of new features at the iconic site
NEW LOOK Major update on transformation of Glasgow city centre
GLASGOW City Council has given a major update on the transformation of George Square.
A revamp project is underway as part of the local authority's Avenues programme, which aims to make the city centre more attractive, greener and better connected.
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Works are underway to transform Glasgow's iconic George Square
Credit: Tom Farmer
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The main contract has been awarded to Rainton Construction
Credit: Tom Farmer
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New features include a water feature, raised lawn, and feature lighting
Credit: Glasgow City Council
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The revamp forms part of the local authority's Avenues programme
Credit: Glasgow City Council
The main contract for the works has been awarded to Rainton Construction after a Glasgow City Council committee decision.
The work on the contract will begin in June, with George Square scheduled to be completed by August 2026.
The contract award - worth more than £20million - covers not only the George Square works, but also the creation of Avenues at 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.
These works will be done in two phases, with George Square, St Vincent Place and West George Street due for completion in August 2026, and Cochrane Street and the sections of George Street and North Hanover Street to be completed in the Spring of 2027.
The works include informal play areas for children in sensory gardens, a raised lawn platform, new tree species in the square, new seating to add to the remembrance benches, and feature lighting.
Between May 12 and 23, the 11 bronze statues will be removed for conservation and restoration before their return to the Square in 2026.
Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: "This is a huge milestone in the transformation of George Square. The appointment of Rainton means the main construction works are now just weeks away, adding real momentum and a sense of excitement to this historic project.
"Glaswegians will already have seen the construction site starting to take shape but the appointment of this contractor is the last major piece of the jigsaw.
"Over the 16 or so months from June, we will see a new and significantly improved public space take shape - a new square on a par with many of our international peers, one Glaswegians can be proud of, and which is fitting of a city of our standing."
Meanwhile, plans for a £5.6million revamp of decaying Sauchiehall Street were rocked by a series of setbacks.
Glasgow's Sauchiehall St revamp facing more delays as workers 'axed' days before Christmas
Upgrading works were due to be completed by Christmas, but weren't finished until last month.
In January, it emerged Sauchiehall Street had been tipped to be named Scotland's ugliest place at the Carbuncle Awards, which names and shames the country's biggest eyesores.
And it has recently emerged that a multi-million-pound drainage upgrade on the street is now a haven for disease-ridden rats.
