🔗 Share this article

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has hung large banners on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that area of the city very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."