What's Happening with Edinburgh's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has hung large notices on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."