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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large notices on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to take down portions of the structure near the finish of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."