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Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

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

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."