🔗 Share this article The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel? The metal framework encasing the hotel on George IV Bridge may not be fully removed until 2027. Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of construction framework. For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore. Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building. Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027. Extended Timelines The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down. Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome". What is happening with this notoriously protracted project? Unwrapped - how the hotel looks scaffold-free on the company's website. A Problematic Past The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009. Projections from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m. Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022. A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner 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 compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage. An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024. In a comment, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more". It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large banners on the framework to remind customers it is open for business. Pictures show the G&V Hotel under construction in September 2008 (left) and the scaffolding beginning in 2020 (right). Slipped Schedules An communication to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end. But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement. "We expect starting to remove portions of the structure near the finish of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read. "Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public." Community and Heritage Concerns A conservation official, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects. She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic. She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town very hard. "I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or develop something more creative and cutting-edge." Pedestrians have been required to walk down a tight covered walkway on part of the street. Project Response A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing. They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and shops. "This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable." The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project. She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements. "Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."