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Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have vacated the building.

Repair 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

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large signs on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."