🔗 Share this article What's Happening with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel? The protective structure enveloping the hotel on a major city bridge may not be fully removed until 2027. Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of scaffolding. For half a decade, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore. Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building. Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027. Further Delays Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down. Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" 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 looks in its intended state on the hotel's website. A Problematic Past The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009. Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m. Work on the building began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022. A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development. Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway. A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024. In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better". It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the framework to notify customers it is open for business. Photographs show the G&V Hotel being built in September 2008 (left) and the project beginning in 2020 (right). Slipped Schedules An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year. But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay. "We project starting to dismantle parts of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read. "We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the public." Local and Conservation Frustration A conservation official, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects. She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape. She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard. "I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde." Tourists have been required to walk down a narrow sheltered walkway on a section of the road. Ongoing Efforts A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress. They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises. "This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable." Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project. She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups. "Nonetheless, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."