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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

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

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."