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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile 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 single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

In a release, its management said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It is making the pedestrian 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 aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."