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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

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

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has been hugely complex."