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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was built 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 cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity started 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 footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large banners on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the framework towards the end of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."