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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

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

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove parts of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the street view or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."