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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

A local authority figure 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 constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."