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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the framework to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

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

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was in progress.

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

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has been extremely complicated."