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Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

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

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

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

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

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

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

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

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

Project Response

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."