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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

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

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated 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 earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

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

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."