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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates 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 global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the framework towards the end of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."