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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

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

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."