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

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

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began 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.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began soon 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 footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

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

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove portions of the framework near the finish of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"However, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."