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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts 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

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

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

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery a chain – which has hung large signs on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and nearby shops over these continued delays.

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