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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

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.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the framework to inform customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

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

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

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."