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

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

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

Work on the building began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."