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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

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

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

Remedial efforts began not long 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 intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the delay.

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

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."