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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of construction framework.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and establishments 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 framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the structure near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."