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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to remove sections of the structure near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."