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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."