🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

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

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."