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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic 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 project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "measures to beautify the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

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