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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large signs on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has been hugely complex."