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

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

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

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

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."