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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, 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 council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."