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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."