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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

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

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

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