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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

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

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

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

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or create something more artistic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."