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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

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

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."