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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large signs on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the framework towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."