The most prominent landmark on the square is the category A listed McEwan Hall, in which the university holds its graduation ceremonies.
[3] In 2013 the University of Edinburgh announced plans to invest £35M on improvements to the McEwan Hall and the Bristo Square area.
[4] Designed by LDN and Buro Happold this scheme is designed to restore the A listed Robert Rowan Anderson building to its former glory whilst enhancing accessibility and increasing capacity by adding in basement seminar rooms.
It has been said to be a “breeding ground for skaters”, however with the redevelopment work this ceased at the end of March 2015 until the square reopened in summer 2017.
[12] The Udderbelly purple cow tent has since moved to the university's George Square gardens.