🔗 Share this article The Situation with Edinburgh's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel? Scaffolding encasing the hotel on a major city bridge may not be entirely dismantled until 2027. On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a imposing sight of construction framework. For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight. Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building. Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027. Extended Timelines Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down. The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive". What is happening with this notoriously protracted project? As advertised - how the hotel appears without its covering on the hotel's website. A Problematic Past The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old local government offices in 2009. Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum. Construction activity started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022. A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project. Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor. Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024. In a comment, its management said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better". It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual. Images show the the property being built in September 2008 (left) and the work beginning in 2020 (right). Slipped Schedules An update to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year. But the firm has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback. "We expect starting to dismantle sections of the structure near the finish of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented. "We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an better site for the public." Local and Conservation Frustration Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects. She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic. She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that section very hard. "It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and innovative." Tourists have been required to walk down a tight enclosed walkway on the affected thoroughfare. Ongoing Efforts A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing. They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises. "This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable." The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project. She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups. "Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."