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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had forced them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to remove portions of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or produce something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."