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

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

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

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

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex."