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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Work on the building began shortly 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 sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has hung large notices on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to remove parts of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."