🔗 Share this article

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was in progress.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."