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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

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

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

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

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."