🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

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

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to beautify the site" was continuing.

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

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."