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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the framework to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

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

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also recognize that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."