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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of construction framework.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

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

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and shops.

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

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."