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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

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

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

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

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

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

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."