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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."