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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

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

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."