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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

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

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

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

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."