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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large banners on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to take down portions of the framework near the finish of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

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

Project Response

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

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of locals and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."