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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a city representative 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 developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

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

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."