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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

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

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale 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 statement, its operators said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the structure near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

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

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."