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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith 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.

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the framework near the finish of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

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