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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

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

The council leader 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 share the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."