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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

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

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

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

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

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

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."