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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, 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 squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

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

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

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

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to take down sections of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

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

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has been hugely complex."