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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

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

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

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

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the framework towards the end of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

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

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

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."