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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."