🔗 Share this article

Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections 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 "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the structure towards the end of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

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

The official said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."