The perimeter barricades are about to be removed to reveal a refurbished George Square which has been given a makeover in time for next year's Commonwealth Games.
The SSE Hydro, Scotland's new home of live
entertainment was revealed to the world's media today (Thursday, 26
September 2013). SEC Ltd Chief Executive Officer, John Sharkey, a
host of stakeholders and rising local talent, Admiral Fallow,
gathered at the new arena ahead of Rod Stewart's opening concert on
Monday 30 September 2013.
Designed by world-renowned architects Foster +
Partners, The SSE Hydro has a seated capacity of 12,000, rising to
13,000 with a seated and standing configuration. The first purpose
built concert venue of its scale, it will play host to around 140
events each year, including national and international artists and
bands as well as being a venue for major comedy stars and sporting
events.
The SSE Hydro has transformed the 64-acre site at
the SECC into a complete exhibition, conference and entertainments
complex of significant national scale. Standing at 45m high and
modelled on Greek and Roman amphitheatres, it has become the newest
landmark on Glasgow's skyline. Designed from the inside out,
visitors will enjoy excellent sightlines from the fixed, tiered and
demountable seating system and the acoustics will be of the highest
standard.
There will be a range of food and drink outlets and
hospitality options including a club seating area and VIP boxes. By
night, visitors to the venue will be greeted by its distinctive,
translucent skin (ETFE) which can glow 12.8 million different
colours or have images projected directly on to the surface.
The SSE Hydro is one of the first major
developments to be completed in the SECC QD2 master plan and has
the potential to inject an additional £131 million per annum into
the local economy. (The current economic impact of the SECC is
£347million per annum with 1.5 million visitors a year.) The venue
will also play an integral role in The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth
Games as the home for both gymnastics and the netball finals.
Just hours before the perimeter barricades came
down, the Evening Times was allowed on to the historic heart of the
city to inspect the facelift.
The red surface has been replaced by speckled grey
resin, making the area look larger.
Council bosses say the new surface will be hard
wearing in icy conditions.
Two new, large grassy areas have been created,
replacing the ones which were controversially dug up 15 years
ago.
They have been designed so they can be covered up
to allow large scale events to be held in the square.
Turf will be relaid around four times a year to
ensure the area always looks smart.
The Evening Times was allowed on to the historic
heart of the city today to inspect the facelift.
The red surface has been replaced by speckled grey resin, making
the area look larger.
Council bosses say the new surface will be hard wearing in icy
conditions.
Two new, large grassy areas have been created, replacing the
ones which were controversially dug up 15 years ago. They have been
designed so they can be covered up to allow large scale events to
be held in the square. Turf will be relaid around four times a year
to ensure the area always looks smart.
Source: Evening Times - Wraps ready to come off Glasgow's
George Square