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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or create something more artistic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying 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 inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."