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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large banners on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."