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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

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

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

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

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."