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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up 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 initial parts of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

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

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

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

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The official said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."