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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off 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 quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has been hugely complex."