The Ongoing Issue with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has placed large banners on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the structure towards the end of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."