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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

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

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to take down parts of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."