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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

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

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started soon 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 intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

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

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove sections of the structure towards the end of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official 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 echo the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."