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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

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

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, 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 "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."