🔗 Share this article

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have vacated the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or create something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."