🔗 Share this article

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

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

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

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

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

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

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

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."