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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has placed large notices on the framework to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, 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 minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or create something more artistic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."