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

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old local government 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 started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this repair has been extremely complicated."