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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms 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 the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

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

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."