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

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left 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 framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has placed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the framework near the finish of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

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

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has been hugely complex."