The Situation with the Capital's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith 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 covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."