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

For half a decade, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the framework to remind 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 "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

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

"We project starting to remove portions of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Project Response

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

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

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."