What's Happening with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been required in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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 residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."