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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of construction framework.

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

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

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

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

In a release, its management said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has hung large notices on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

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

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."