James Delaney Scotland
On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland’s historic capital sits a monolith of scaffolding.
For five years Radisson’s G&V Hotel, on the corner of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and George IV Bridge, has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.
Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.
Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.
Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be “towards the end” of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be dismantled.
Edinburgh’s council leader Jane Meagher has called it a “blight” on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is “extremely disruptive”.
What is going on with this seemingly endless project?
Radisson HotelsThe 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.
Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel 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 large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.
Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.
Seafood restaurant Ondine quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.
In a statement, its operators said building work had forced them to alter the restaurant’s appearance, adding that “customers deserved better”.
It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.
An update to the council’s transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of “uncovering” the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.
But SRM has said that will not happen, citing “extremely complex” construction issues for the delay.
“We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter,” they said.
“We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community.”
Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city’s reputation of being “slow” for development.
She said those involved in the project had a “public duty” to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city’s design.
She said: “It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.
“I don’t understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde.”
A project spokesperson said work on “solutions to aesthetically improve the site” was ongoing.
They added: “We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.
“This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is practicable.”
Ms Meagher said the local authority would “continue to put pressure” on those involved to finish the project.
She said: “This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.
“However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex.”