Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.
For half a decade, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the corner of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.
Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.
Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.
Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.
The city's political leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".
What is going on with this seemingly endless project?
The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.
Estimates from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.
Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.
Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.
Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.
An eatery a popular spot quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.
In a release, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".
It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.
An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.
But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.
"We expect starting to dismantle portions of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.
"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."
Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.
She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.
She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.
"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."
A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.
They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.
"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."
The council leader said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.
She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.
"However, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."
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