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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

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

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

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

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

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

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

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

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

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."