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Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left 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 framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

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

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to take down portions of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."