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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts started not long 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 footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

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

Project Response

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

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."