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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

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

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

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

Construction activity began soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project 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 scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added 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 incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."