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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure 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 structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity 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 significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the structure towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."