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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

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

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."