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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement 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 Victoria Terrace have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has hung large banners on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the street view or create something more artistic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."