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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts 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.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

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

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."