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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also home to popular eatery a chain – which has hung large notices on the framework to notify customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."