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

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the framework towards the end of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."