Achi news desk-
After the market engagement exercise, the council will then seek to recruit the contractors to carry out the restoration work, a key step in the wider regeneration of Glasgow’s main civic space.
The notice for the sculpture specialists has now been published and is the next step in the project’s progress, with the transformational plans now approaching their final planning hurdle.
As part of the redevelopment, the sculptures currently located in George Square will be carefully removed from the stone plinths, protected, and transported to a workshop or secure storage facility.
READ MORE: The seven projects at the heart of Glasgow’s billion pound transformation
It is expected that the work of moving the statues into storage will begin in early 2025, with conservation work starting next spring and the statues being reinstalled in the square in its new look in 2027.
Given the highly specialized nature of bronze conservation, the experts sought will help the council investigate the required expertise of organizations applying for the various areas of work including their professional qualities, the suitability of the storage space they offer, and the type of community benefits that could be provided.
Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “This is very specialist, highly specialist and detailed work, so we need to ensure we have the right level of expertise from the outset. To get that level of expertise, we obviously need experts to help us find the right contractors for the job.
“These are A and B listed monuments and for many people they are a key part of the experience of visiting Glasgow’s main public space. It is vital that we get this right.
“But it’s really exciting to get to the point where we’re now on our way to the quality civic space that Glaswegians have long asked for.”
The call for sculpture experts comes after new images showing what a revamped George Square could look like were revealed in October ahead of a planning application being submitted by Glasgow City Council.
Features include high quality stone throughout the Square; informal ‘play’ areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; proposed water feature; raised lawn platform; dedicated shaded seating; and feature lighting.
The main image shows the famous statues from George Square relocated, but no final decisions have been made yet.
The design for the eastern part of the Square responds to the formality of the City Chambers and the Cenotaph, and another elevated green area was proposed in front of the Cenotaph.
The design for the western part of the Square suggests an area for cafes to pour out along with paved areas for events and may include a water feature.
READ MORE: Mark Smith: X-rays and secret tunnels: how I changed my mind on the fate of George Square
Elements of the future design will protect and extend greenery, including rain gardens; responding to the institutional character of the eastern area of ​​the Square in front of the City Chambers, and respecting the central western axis in the Square – City Chambers – Cenotaph – Sir Walter Scott Memorial Column.
The first phase will see George Square, John Street, Hanover and Miller Street, part of North Hanover Street and Cochrane Street start construction in 2024 and be completed in 2026. The second phase of construction – in St Vincent Street, George Street , Dundas Street and Dundas Lane – will be completed in 2028.
The scheme is part of the wider £115million Walkways project – a network of new, attractive, accessible, safe, sustainable and maintainable routes across the city center which are people-centred, encourage active travel and n more attractive for residents, workers. , visitors and investors. The project is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
In 2012, Glasgow School of Art academics who specialize in sculpture approached Glasgow City Council with a report recommending the landmark sculptures in George Square be moved to other parts of the city to allow them to be better appreciated.
As well as supporting the relocation of the equestrian statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to Queen’s Park on the south side of the city, they recommend locating the statue of Sir Robert Peel close to the University of Glasgow, where he was rector.
