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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added 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 reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

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

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

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