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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large banners on the framework to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."