George Square in Glasgow is set to reopen later this year following a £20million transformation (Image: Getty)
A huge regeneration project in the heart of Glasgow is nearing completion, with the city’s famous George Square set to reopen later this year following a £20million transformation. George Square, which dates back to 1781 and sits at the centre of the city, has been closed since last spring as part of an 18-month redevelopment. The historic square is now due to reopen to the public in September.
The project marks Glasgow’s biggest public space upgrade since Buchanan Street was pedestrianised in the 1970s. It also forms part of the wider Avenues programme, aimed at making the city centre greener and more walkable. When it reopens, visitors can expect new tree species alongside the existing Norway maple and cherry trees, rain gardens, a sensory garden and improved landscaping.
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The square will be a welcoming space for events, festivals and for people to sit and meet up (Image: Glasgow City Council)
There will also be accessible event spaces, high-quality stone surfacing on pathways and more seating areas for people to meet and relax.
George Square is named after King George III and is home to monuments honouring figures such as Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.
It is surrounded by Victorian architecture, including Queen Street Station, which opened in 1842, and Glasgow City Chambers, completed in 1889.
Glasgow City Council said: “George Square is at the heart of the transformation of our city and forms the central point of the Avenues network.
“The square will be a welcoming space for events, festivals and for people to sit and meet up. It will have more green spaces, more places for sitting, meeting and enjoying the city centre, improved landscaping, as well as new play and sensory gardens.
George Square is surrounded by Victorian architecture, including Glasgow City Chambers (Image: Getty)
“The design has been developed through a collaboration between architectural firm John McAslan and Partners and Glasgow City Council, following extensive consultation with the people of Glasgow.
“George Square is at the heart of the network of 16 new Avenues being created in Glasgow, making our city greener, better connected, and a great place to stay and do business.
“The Avenues and George Square form part of the City Centre Strategy and the Glasgow City Region City Deal regeneration programme, which aims to stimulate economic growth and attract inward investment. The £123.4million programme is backed by the UK Government and the Scottish Government.”
In its latest update on April 16, 2026, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce confirmed that work has progressed significantly around the outer square.
The historic square is due to reopen to the public in September (Image: Getty)
Construction is ongoing along the south footway, with the section between South Frederick Street and Hanover Street nearing completion.
Work is continuing between Queen Street and Hanover Street, and the street café space outside Drouthy’s pub has been handed back and is expected to reopen shortly.
On the north side, contractors have been laying setts on the carriageway. During removal of the existing road surface, uncharted underground chambers from the former tramway system were discovered, requiring coordination with Scottish Power. This has caused some delay, with the north road now expected to be completed by June 7.
Within the square itself, all rain gardens and tree pits have been installed and trees have been planted, including along the north side opposite the Millennium Hotel. Restoration work to the Sir Walter Scott Monument and the Cenotaph is also underway.