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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large banners on the framework to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the structure near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."