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On one of the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."