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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

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

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

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the structure towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."