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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."