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

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the structure towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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 incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."