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Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

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

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

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

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."