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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

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

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense 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.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we provide an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."