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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

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

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

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

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the framework to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to take down parts of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director 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 involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has been extremely complicated."