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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands 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 covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed 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 a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to take down portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

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

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

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

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."