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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the framework towards the end of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to beautify the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We recognize the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable 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 continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."