What's Happening with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a imposing sight of construction framework.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated 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 first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

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

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."