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

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

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

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to take down portions of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."