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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the framework towards the end of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."