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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of construction framework.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the framework to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

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

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."