The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."