The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

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

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."