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Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began shortly 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 sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

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

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

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

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."