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Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the framework near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to beautify the site" was continuing.

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."