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Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments 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 "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed 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 cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the structure towards the end of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

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

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."