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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold 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 public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."