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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

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

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners 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 local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

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

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

"However, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has been extremely complicated."