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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile 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 left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

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

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has placed large notices on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."