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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

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

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

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

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was in progress.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."