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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

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

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."