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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, 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, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."