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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of construction framework.

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

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

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

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative 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 constructed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

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

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has been hugely complex."