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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

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

"We expect starting to take down portions of the framework towards the end of 2026, with additional work proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

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

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."