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

Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled 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 scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

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

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

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

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

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."