🔗 Share this article The Ongoing Issue with the Capital's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel? Scaffolding encasing the hotel on George IV Bridge may not be entirely dismantled until 2027. Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms. For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight. Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building. Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027. Prolonged Deadlines The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed. The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome". What is going on with this notoriously protracted project? Scaffold-free - how the hotel is presented in its intended state on the hotel's website. A Problematic Past The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009. Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum. Construction activity began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022. Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project. People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage. Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024. In a statement, its management said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better". It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual. Photographs show the the property under construction in September 2008 (left) and the scaffolding beginning in 2020 (right). Delayed Plans An report to the a local authority committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end. But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement. "We expect starting to take down sections of the structure near the finish of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," they said. "We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community." Local and Conservation Frustration A heritage director, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works. She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design. She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard. "It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or create something more artistic and cutting-edge." Pedestrians have been forced to walk down a confined covered walkway on part of the street. Continued Work A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress. They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses. "This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible." Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project. She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and local businesses over these ongoing postponements. "That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."