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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the structure near the finish of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or produce something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."