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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

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

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

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to take down parts of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

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