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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts 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 "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

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

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

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

In a release, its operators said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

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