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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

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

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."