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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain 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 scaffold can be removed.

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

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened 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 closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce 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 really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

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