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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been required in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

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

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the structure near the finish of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."