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

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to take down parts of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We recognize the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex."