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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large notices on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city very hard.

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

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."