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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

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

Remedial work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has hung large signs on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

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

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."