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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city 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 year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."