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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed 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 exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

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

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has placed large banners on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority 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 "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."