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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

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

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."