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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it 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 sizeable hotel was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began not long 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 pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has placed large banners on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the street view or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."