The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel?

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

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

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old regional authority 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 coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

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

An eatery a popular spot left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

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

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

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

"We project starting to remove sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."