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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

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

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."