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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

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

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

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

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, 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 "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."