The Ongoing Issue with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the structure towards the end of 2026, with additional work proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."