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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre 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 George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

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

Delayed Plans

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

But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle portions of the framework near the finish of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

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

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

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."