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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through confined passages, and establishments 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 remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

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

In a release, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large signs on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the framework towards the end of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has been hugely complex."