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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of construction framework.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding 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 initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."