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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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 Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the structure near the finish of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an better site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."