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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of construction framework.

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

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak 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 historic street have been closed off by the development.

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has hung large banners on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

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

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the structure towards the end of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."