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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of scaffolding.

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 covered eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

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

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade 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 "highly complicated" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the framework near the finish of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

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

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."