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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started not long 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 sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large notices on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes 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."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."