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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

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

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large notices on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the structure towards the end of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or create something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has been hugely complex."