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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of construction framework.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless 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 originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

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

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

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

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."