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On one of the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the frustration of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."