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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

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

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

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

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

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

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."