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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

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

Further Delays

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

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."