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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

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

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold 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 happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

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

Construction activity began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the framework towards the end of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and enterprises.

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

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has been hugely complex."