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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" 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, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or create something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

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

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."