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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to remove portions of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

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