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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

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

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

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

In a comment, its management said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the framework towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building safe and that this repair has been hugely complex."