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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

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

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery a chain – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

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

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

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

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the street view or develop something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."