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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

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

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project 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 hung large banners on the framework to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to take down sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

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