🔗 Share this article The Ongoing Issue with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel? Scaffolding encasing the hotel on a major city bridge may not be completely taken down until 2027. Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of scaffolding. For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore. Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building. Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027. Extended Timelines The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled. Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive". What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project? As advertised - how the hotel looks without its covering on the hotel's website. A Problematic Past The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009. Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m. Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022. A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project. Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced in a line into a tight, enclosed passage. Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and moved to another city in 2024. In a release, its management said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better". It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is still open. Photographs show the the property under construction in September 2008 (left) and the scaffolding beginning in 2020 (right). Missed Deadlines An report to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end. But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay. "We project starting to take down portions of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented. "We are working closely with all parties to ensure we create an better site for the local area." Local and Conservation Frustration A conservation official, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works. She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic. She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging. "It is puzzling why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge." Pedestrians have been forced to walk down a narrow covered walkway on a section of the road. Continued Work A company representative said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was in progress. They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops. "This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this vital work as soon as is possible." The official said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project. She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements. "Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."