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On one of the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was continuing.

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

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."