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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to remove portions of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

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

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

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."