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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed 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.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

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

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

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

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

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."