The Ongoing Issue with the Capital's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel?

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

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

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer 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 not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to take down parts of the framework near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

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

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has been hugely complex."