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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

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

An eatery a popular spot left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the structure towards the end of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and shops.

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

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has been hugely complex."