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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

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

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

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

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the structure near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director 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 working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."