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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

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

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced 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 section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the street view or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has been hugely complex."