🔗 Share this article The Situation with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel? The metal framework enveloping the hotel on a major city bridge may not be entirely dismantled until 2027. Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms. For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore. Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building. Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027. Extended Timelines Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be removed. Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive". What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project? As advertised - how the hotel appears in its intended state on the company's website. Background Issues The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009. Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds. Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022. Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the development. Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage. An eatery a popular spot quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024. In a comment, its management said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience". It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business. Images show the G&V Hotel being built in September 2008 (left) and the project beginning in 2020 (right). Slipped Schedules An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year. But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the delay. "We expect starting to dismantle parts of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read. "We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area." Community and Heritage Concerns A conservation official, director of conservation group the a local 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 reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape. She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town really difficult. "It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge." Shoppers have been obliged to walk down a narrow sheltered walkway on the affected thoroughfare. Project Response A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing. They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses. "This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible." The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project. She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements. "However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has been hugely complex."