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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove portions of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has been extremely complicated."