The Ongoing Issue with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

On one of the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

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

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

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the frustration of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."