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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

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

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

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

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that area of the city very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."