🔗 Share this article

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

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

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader 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 frustration of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."