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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

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

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

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

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."