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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

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

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Construction activity began soon 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 junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

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

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

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

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."