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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said building work had obliged them to modify 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 open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we create an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."