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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

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

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the framework near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We recognize the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex."