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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been required in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

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

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They added: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

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