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Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity started not long 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 corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

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

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."