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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a imposing sight of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Construction activity began soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the framework towards the end of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."