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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

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

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."