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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of construction framework.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

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

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

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

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."