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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

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

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the framework near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."