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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has been hugely complex."