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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"However, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."