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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion 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 Lawnmarket and another locale have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."