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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of construction framework.

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

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

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

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 aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."