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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said building work had forced them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."