Huge boost to UK city with famous 240-year-old square – £20m glow-up | UK | News
Glasgow’s George Square will reopen later this year after a £20m transformation (Image: Getty)
A massive regeneration project in the heart of Glasgow is nearing completion and the city’s famous George Square will reopen later this year after a £20 million transformation. George Square, which dates back to 1781 and is located in the center of the city, has been closed since last spring as part of an 18-month reconstruction. The historical square is planned to reopen to the public in September.
The project marks Glasgow’s largest public realm improvement since Buchanan Street was closed to traffic in the 1970s. It also forms part of the wider Streets program which aims to make the city center greener and more walkable. When it reopens, visitors can expect existing Norway maple and cherry trees, as well as new tree species, 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 (Image: Glasgow City Council)
There will also be accessible event spaces, high-quality stone paving on paths and more seating for people to meet and relax.
George Square is named after King George III and is home to monuments commemorating figures such as Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.
The property is surrounded by Victorian architecture, including Queen Street Station, which opened in 1842, and the Glasgow City Chambers, which were completed in 1889.
Glasgow City Council said: “George Square is at the heart of our city’s transformation and forms the central point of the Streets network.
“The square will be a welcoming space for events, festivals and for people to sit and meet. It will feature more green space, more seating, meetings and more space to enjoy the town centre, improved landscaping and new play and sensory gardens.
George Square is surrounded by Victorian architecture, including the Glasgow City Chambers (Image: Getty)
“The design was developed following a collaboration between architectural firm John McAslan and Partners and Glasgow City Council and extensive consultation with the people of Glasgow.
“George Square is at the heart of the network of 16 new Streets being created in Glasgow, making our city greener, better connected and a great place to stay and do business.
“The Streets and George Square form part of the City Center Strategy and Glasgow City Region City Deal regeneration programme, which aims to stimulate economic growth and attract inward investment. The £123.4 million program is supported by the UK Government and Scottish Government.”
In its last update on 16 April 2026, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce confirmed that work around the outer square had progressed significantly.
The historic square will reopen to the public in September (Image: Getty)
Construction continues along the southern pedestrian walkway, and the section between South Frederick Street and Hanover Street is nearing completion.
Work is continuing between Queen Street and Hanover Street and the street cafe space outside Drouthy’s pub has been given back and is expected to reopen shortly.
On the north side, contractors are laying embankments on the carriageway. During the removal of the existing road surface, unexplored underground chambers of the old tram system were discovered, requiring coordination with Scottish Power. This has caused some delay and the northern route is expected to be completed by 7 June.
Rain gardens and tree pits have all been installed and trees planted within the square, including the north side opposite the Millennium Hotel. Restoration work of the Sir Walter Scott Monument and Cenotaph is also continuing.
