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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts 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 "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to take down portions of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the a local 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 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 really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."