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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."