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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large banners on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, 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 disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."