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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has hung large signs on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "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 further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."