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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework towards the end of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

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

Continued Work

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."