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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began 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

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the structure towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the frustration of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."