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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

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

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to remove parts of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."