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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

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

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

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

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the framework towards the end of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."