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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

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

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

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

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to beautify the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

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

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has been hugely complex."