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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of construction framework.

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

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

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

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

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to beautify the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has been hugely complex."