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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

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

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

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

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the structure towards the end of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" 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 design.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."