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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted 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 build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

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

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had obliged them to change 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 scaffold to remind 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 façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the framework near the finish of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."