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In the heart of Edinburgh, on one of the city’s busiest tourist thoroughfares, an imposing mass of scaffolding has become a prominent, unwelcome feature. The G&V Hotel, part of the Radisson group, located at the intersection of the Royal Mile and George IV Bridge, has been enveloped in plastic sheeting and scaffolding for five years. Originally, remedial work that began in 2020 was expected to be brief, but now residents are facing the prospect that the scaffolding might not come down until 2027. The ongoing construction has forced the hotel to remain closed to guests since 2022, created cramped pedestrian walkways, and prompted businesses within the building to shut down or relocate.
Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary contractor responsible for the project, has revealed that the dismantling of the scaffolding might only begin toward the end of 2026. Edinburgh’s council leader, Jane Meagher, has criticized the situation as a damaging “blight” on the area, and heritage advocates have voiced concerns about the “extremely disruptive” nature of the works. This prolonged presence of scaffolding has raised questions among locals and visitors alike regarding the delay and the challenges involved in this large-scale project.
The hotel originally opened in 2009 on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices, costing approximately £30 million to construct under its previous Missoni Hotel brand. The building work related to the current remedial efforts started soon after the Covid-19 pandemic began. A significant portion of the adjacent road and pavement has been cordoned off, forcing pedestrians to navigate a narrow, covered pathway between Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace. This disruption has impacted local businesses too: the seafood restaurant Ondine, for instance, moved from the location to St Andrews in 2024, citing that the construction had compelled them to change the restaurant’s appearance, with the operators emphasizing their belief that “customers deserved better.” Meanwhile, Pizza Express continues operating within the hotel but has resorted to hanging large banners on the scaffolding to inform patrons it remains open.
Updates presented to Edinburgh’s transport and environment committee earlier this year suggested that the façade’s “uncovering” would commence in February with complete removal expected by year-end. However, SRM has clarified that, due to “extremely complex” construction challenges, this timeline is no longer feasible. The contractor stated, “We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter,” and assured they are collaborating closely with stakeholders to improve the site for the community. Heritage organization director Rowan Brown of the Cockburn Association highlighted that the project has underscored Edinburgh’s reputation for slow development. Brown expressed concerns about pedestrian difficulties and the missed opportunity to integrate the scaffolding into the urban landscape more creatively, suggesting, “I don’t understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde.”
A spokesperson for the project noted that efforts to find “solutions to aesthetically improve the site” are ongoing. Recognizing the frustrations from local residents and business owners, they described the process as lengthy due to the complexity and scale of the repairs. Jane Meagher, from the city council, pledged to maintain pressure on those responsible for completing the work, sympathizing with the community’s frustration but also acknowledging the contractor’s obligation to ensure safety on a restoration project of such intricacy. She said, “This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of residents and local businesses over these continued delays. However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex.
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