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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

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

Work on the building started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

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

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."