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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

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

"This represents a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."