The Situation with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Work on the building began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."