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Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."