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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the framework towards the end of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

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

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."