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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

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

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle portions of the structure towards the end of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."