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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts 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 significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."