What is happening with the Edinburgh hotel made of scaffolding?

In the heart of Scotland's historic capital, one of the busiest tourist streets is dominated by a tower of scaffolding. For the past five years, the Radisson G&V Hotel, located at the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge, has remained wrapped in plastic, creating an eyesore for locals and visitors alike.

Guests cannot book rooms, pedestrians are forced through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building. Initially planned as a short-term repair project starting in 2020, residents are now being told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

The main contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), indicated that dismantling of the first sections of the scaffolding is not expected until late 2026. Edinburgh council leader Jane Meagher described the site as a "blight," while heritage campaigners criticized the project as "extremely disruptive."

The 136-room hotel, built in 2009 on the former Lothian Regional Council offices, initially opened under the Missoni Hotel brand, with construction costs estimated around 30 million. Work resumed after the onset of the Covid pandemic, and the hotel has been closed to guests since 2022.

A significant portion of the road and pavement near the Royal Mile corner has been blocked, forcing pedestrians traveling between the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace to use a narrow, covered walkway. In 2024, seafood restaurant Ondine relocated to St Andrews, citing construction work that negatively affected its interior and customer experience. Pizza Express remains on-site, using large banners on the scaffolding to signal it is still open.

An update from the councils transport and environment committee earlier this year suggested that scaffolding removal would begin in February, with completion by year-end. However, SRM stated that "extremely complex" construction challenges have caused further delays. "We expect to start dismantling scaffold sections towards the end of next year, with continued improvements thereafter," the company said.

Rowan Brown, director of the Cockburn Association, highlighted the city's slow reputation for development and stressed the importance of minimizing disruption. "It is making pedestrian access in this area very difficult," she said, calling for the project to integrate better with the streetscape or adopt a more creative design.

Project representatives mentioned that work on "aesthetic improvements" is ongoing. "We recognize the frustrations of residents and businesses. This has been a lengthy process due to the scale and complexity of the remedial work, but we are committed to completing it as quickly as possible," they said.

Jane Meagher emphasized that the council will continue pressing those responsible to finish the project. "This scaffolding has been a blight for years. While I share the community's frustration, the contractor must ensure the buildings safety, which has proven to be highly complex," she stated.

Analysis: The Long Shadow of Edinburgh's Radisson G&V Scaffolding

The ongoing scaffolding at the Radisson G&V Hotel has become a symbol of prolonged urban disruption in Edinburgh. Initially intended as a short-term repair, the project has extended far beyond expectations, with removal now projected for late 2026 or 2027. This delay underscores both the complexity of construction work on historic sites and the challenges of managing urban infrastructure projects in high-traffic tourist areas.

Local businesses and pedestrians continue to bear the brunt of the disruption. The relocation of Ondine and the narrow walkways for pedestrians highlight the tangible impact on daily life. Even tenants like Pizza Express must adapt, using scaffolding banners to communicate that operations continue amid the chaos.

From a governance perspective, the council's ongoing oversight illustrates the tension between maintaining safety standards and minimizing public inconvenience. Project representatives acknowledge the delays, attributing them to "extremely complex" remedial work, yet no clear accelerated timeline has been confirmed beyond late 2026. Heritage campaigners and urban planners emphasize the need for better integration of construction projects with the existing streetscape to avoid long-term blight in central Edinburgh.

Ultimately, the Radisson G&V scaffolding serves as a cautionary example of how extensive urban refurbishment projects require rigorous planning, transparent communication, and contingency strategies to limit disruption while safeguarding historical and commercial interests.

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• What's going on with Edinburgh's scaffolding hotel?