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On one of the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

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

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."