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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

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

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the framework near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

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

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

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."