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Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

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

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."