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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework 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 initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large signs on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to remove parts of the framework near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."