🔗 Share this article What's Happening with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel? Scaffolding surrounding the hotel on a major city bridge may not be fully removed until 2027. On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding. For half a decade, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore. Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building. Remedial work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027. Prolonged Deadlines The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down. A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome". What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project? Scaffold-free - how the hotel appears scaffold-free on the company's website. A Problematic Past The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009. Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds. Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022. A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the project. Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage. Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024. In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience". It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has hung large signs on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual. Photographs show the G&V Hotel under construction in September 2008 (left) and the project beginning in 2020 (right). Slipped Schedules An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end. But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement. "We project starting to remove parts of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," a statement read. "Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public." Local and Conservation Frustration A heritage director, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects. She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design. She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section really difficult. "I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or develop something more artistic and innovative." Tourists have been obliged to walk down a confined enclosed walkway on the affected thoroughfare. Continued Work A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing. They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises. "This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible." The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project. She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays. "Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."