🔗 Share this article

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

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large banners on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove portions of the framework near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."