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Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building started 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 sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the framework to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the structure near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting 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 local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."