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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

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

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started shortly 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 pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

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

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian 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 develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this repair has been hugely complex."