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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."