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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

The city's political 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 seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced 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 statement, its management said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the framework to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the framework near the finish of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

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

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."