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

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" 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 developed 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 development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

In a statement, its operators said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has placed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or produce something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."