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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

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

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

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.

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

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to take down parts of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

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

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section really difficult.

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

Project Response

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

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."