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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are directed through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

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

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, 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 disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

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

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."