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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

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

Extended Timelines

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

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

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

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."