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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

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

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we create an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."