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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable."

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

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

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has been hugely complex."