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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of construction framework.

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

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

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

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

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, 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 disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."