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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had forced them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this vital 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 framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."