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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

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

Construction activity began shortly 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 footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should integrate 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 integrate it into the street view or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was ongoing.

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

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."