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

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to take down portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

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