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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."