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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

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

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had compelled them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to take down parts of the structure towards the end of 2026, with additional work proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

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

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."